Click on Help, then About at top of Main Screen to see Version # --------------- Dec 5, 2025 Version 4.3 B.011 -------------------- Fixed bug when opening an S96, Comp Cams, etc file with the program in Metric Mode, you could not enter a reasonable lash value in mm. --------------- Nov 4, 2025 Version 4.3 B.010 -------------------- Added help option to display new v4.3 Supplement. Added feature so you can specify a firing order which does not include all cylinders. This could be for when you are working with a head for cylinders 3 and 4 only. Technically you should list the entire firing order. Now you can restore the opening Warning screen in Preferences by clicking on "Restart Showing Help Tips". --------------- Oct 18, 2025 Version 4.3 B.009 -------------------- Now the Test Summary at the top of reports adjust better to fill the available space when the screen is resized. Fixed bug where the cam profiles created with More Details could be in error for the profiles, especially if you included dwell over the nose (cheater profiles). Fixed bug where if you used one of the "Spec Hydraulic" profile types when designing a cam, the program was including a mechanical Lash value that you could not change. Added a "Flip" button so you can change the Camshaft Layout Drawing on the main screen to better match how you mounted the cam on the Cam Test Stand. Fixed bug where reports for different lobes could show the first lobe's results 2 times and leave out the last lobe's results. Now the small graph created from a section of a report includes the Maximum, Minimum and Range values for the data that is graphed. Fixed bug where if you cancelled printing some screens, the program could bomb out. Now if you print the screen where you can enter Individual Base Circles for the lobes, the printout will include the Individual Base Circle measurements. Fixed bug where the new "Clc" buttons for calculating Radius of Curvature would not be disabled correctly in the Virtual Follower input screen. Fixed some bugs where certain fields were not displayed or hidden or enabled correctly for the other settings in this screen. Updated all Example files to have the Mini USB logger in their settings, so new users will have the proper logger set. Changed label in the Virtual Follower screen so it does not cover up the rotation direction arrow. Changed name of 2 Example Cam Layouts to be more descriptive, like "Hemi 1999 race only Mopar" instead of "Hemi 99". Added new Example Cam Layouts, like Ford 292/312 Y Block. Fixed bug for Ford 429/460 Example Cam Layouts which showed the Lifter Bore Angles at -98 when it should have been -83 Reverse the Virtual Rocker Arm drawing. Added new "Cam Rotation" options in the Virtual Follower specs screen to indicate if the valve is to the left or right of the cam. Slightly changed the OHC Rocker Arm drawing for Center Pivot layouts to better show the rotation direction arrow for cams with larger base circles. --------------- Sept 9, 2025 Version 4.3 B.007 -------------------- New Features for All Versions: Lash and Duration in Test/Cam Setup now are always shown to .000 inch or .1 mm decimal places. You can now stop displaying the program’s opening Warning screen by checking the “Don’t show this again” box in the lower left. S96 files are now always generated where the highest lift (assumed to be the centerline) is placed at line 198 (center of the file). Some programs from other companies expected this to always be the case. The program now remembers the size and position of the Main Screen and Graph Screen and restores them when the program is opened or the Graph Screen is reopened. The Main Screen graph now fills the available screen if it is maximized. Updated Report.clc file to show Seating Velocity/Est. Lash instead of just Seating Velocity. Need more velocity limits for lash point. Need to increase the significant figures to 8 like done to 6 figures in v4.3 A.052 Now reports of duration at various lifts show blank opening and closing events if the duration is 0 at those particular lifts. Previously the reports 'showed fictitious numbers as the opening and closing events. Now the spacing of columns in reports are more correctly sized to show all 'columns, especially if the screen size is small and the number of columns is quite large. Program will now “talk” to our Engine Log Book Pro so you can pull cam specs from a Cam Analyzer file into the Engine Log Book Pro. New Features for the Plus Version Only: A new report type has been added: TDC Lifts, Set Cam Timing to help time the cam you measured in the engine. This report will tell you what intake and exhaust tappet lift to look for at TDC to know how advanced or retarded the cam timing will be. You can now specify up to 6 lobes for each cylinder. You can now specify more details when creating a cam profile from .050" inputs, etc. There is a new method of estimating the valve lash point. Many modern cam designs do not have a zero velocity point for estimating the valve lash point. Finding zero velocity was the method of earlier versions of Cam Analyzer to find the lash point. Instead, the program now looks for a particular velocity point of tappet lift vs cam degrees. You can set this in Preferences, with 2 defaults provided if you do not have particular velocity you want to call the lash point. Lash points for both the new method and old method are given. If the old zero velocity method gives a reasonable lash point, it is likely based on the program finding a zero velocity point in the profile. This is probably the better lash point to go with. There is now an option to remove several outputs on Cam Card to simplify it. This was requested by one particular cam grinder. The program now has a Calc utility to calculate the radius of curvature for inputs in Virtual Follower screen. There is now a Preference setting of “Report Asymmetry in” so you can choose the original of “Crank Degrees” or the new option of “Cam Degrees”. The program has reduced the lower limit for "Valve End Pivot Radius" to 3 mm and 0.2 inches. This may help simulate certain OHC valve train geometries. There is a new Preference called “Allow a Degree Offset When Finding TDC with Stops”. Set this to Yes and the program allows you to enter an offset for TDC when finding TDC with mechanical stops. Output files are now giving results to 8 decimal places for writing smooth output files. New Features for the “Cam Grinder” Version Only: Now there are 2 new File options in the Graph screen for exporting graph data as displayed, one to export as a text file for Notepad, and one to export as a .csv file for MS Excel. This is similar to the ASCII File option in the Reports screen, but makes the necessary degree increments so it more directly imports into Excel. You can now identify an individual base circle measurement for all lobes. If you have selected this option, the program now asks for base circle measurement before each lobe measurement. The program checks if the Individual Base Circle value is reasonable for calculating out a Virtual Follower. Now you can edit a cam profile (stretch and/or shrink the lift or duration) from data "Measured w Electronics" directly. This eliminates several steps that were required in previous version. If you click on a section of a report while holding down the Ctrl key, the program presents options for making a small report of the data in that section with a small graph. This lets you quickly see if the data is has any trends, or spot data points which are quite different than the rest. You can now generate a 3D.igs file with a particular thickness for the lobe. This will produce a file of 360 1 degree segments. If you need a Solidworks or Mastercam file consisting of arcs, there is an FAQ on our website for doing that. But, you will need to do some additional conversions once the file is in Solidworks or Mastercam. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ v4.3 B.001 Sept 9, 2025 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --------------- Mar 18, 2025 Version 4.3 A.052 -------------------- When importing cam files like S96, the program now keeps more significant figures. This typically only makes a difference when importing files created by cam design programs, not from files measure on actual camshafts. When importing cam files like S96, the program now keeps more very low lift data points, down to .00002. This eliminates the acceleration and jerk data from having spikes at the very beginning and end of the opening and closing ramps. --------------- Jan 8, 2025 Version 4.3 A.051 -------------------- Fixed bug where the program did not always graph lobes for all the cylinders. This was a bug we think got introduced in v4.3 A.037 or later. --------------- Jan 6, 2025 Version 4.3 A.050 -------------------- Fixed bug where results could be blanked out if you opened an old test that was saved in inches, but program was now set to mm, or vice versa. --------------- Nov 30, 2024 Version 4.3 A.049 -------------------- Program is now better at drawing rocker arm on OHC rocker arm layout screen. Program is now better at drawing Valve End Pivot Angle on OHC rocker arm layout screen. Updated main screen help to now direct you to YouTube videos rather than videos on performancetrends.com website. --------------- June 13, 2024 Version 4.3 A.048 -------------------- Fixed minor bug where a dropdown field in the Export Cam Dr. was not completely visible. Fixed bug where if you chose to Add Lobe (like from an S96 file) to an existing file, the specs for the original lobe like centerline, lash, etc got erased. Fixed bug where the setting "Exhaust matches Intake" in the Virtual Follower specs screen was not universally saved for languaguages other than English. Increased the limit for doing the Virtual Follower math for very large Crown Radius inputs for Virtual Flat Tappet followers. This did not affect the simulation significantly because the Flat Tappet simulation at the origial limit is almost the same as when pushed to the new, larger limit. --------------- May 15, 2024 Version 4.3 A.047 -------------------- Made probe radius for Virtual Follower much larger for Cam Grinder so you can determine actual cam profile for Flat Tappet cams. Now program does not allow blank settings for special Graph types which would cause problems making graphs. Program now gives better message when there are jumpy readings in the region of the measurement to determine cam timing. --------------- Apr 23, 2024 Version 4.3 A.046 -------------------- Restored a fix from v4.3 A.044 to correctly calculate base circle effects if exh is different from intake. Tried to fix bug where electrical noise or other problems would cause the USB logger to lock up. Now the software should stop advancing to the next lobe if you are on the last lobe no matter how you have Preferences set. Fixed bug where Jerk was reported with the wrong sign, + and -. --------------- Feb 17, 2024 Version 4.3 A.045 -------------------- Fixed bug where the Virtual Cam screen would not always be updated correctly for the OHC rocker arm layouts when you changed Base Circle. Program now shows the labels above the graph on the main screen of Centerline, Duration, Lift, etc. for cams "Measured with Electronics" larger, to better ensure all the data is displayed on higher resolution computer screens. --------------- Dec 20, 2023 Version 4.3 A.043 -------------------- Fixed more bugs where errors could occur (even without error messages) when working in certain languages other than English. --------------- Dec 19, 2023 Version 4.3 A.042 -------------------- Made further refinements to Exporting S96 files. Fixed bug where a "DrawTabsError" error message was produced if you were working in certain languages other than English. --------------- Dec 18, 2023 Version 4.3 A.041 -------------------- Made further refinements to Exporting S96 files. --------------- Dec 16, 2023 Version 4.3 A.040 -------------------- Changed program so the recording screen should always be on top of other screens. Made changes to the Virtual Follower simulation when the measurements were not started well centered on base circle, especially for OHC Rocker Arm valve trains. Data at very low lifts could have "jumps" in the simulated lift of approximately .005" lift or more depending on where the measurement was started. Fixed minor bug where if you clicked on one of the "Export" options the mouse pointer would turn into the hourglass instead of stay as the arrow. --------------- Nov 23, 2023 Version 4.3 A.039 -------------------- In the Checking Limits report, the Lobe Separation label now is reported as Lobe Separation. Previously it was Exh Lobe Separation. Added Label to Virtual Follower screen for OHC rocker arm layout to show if CW or CCW was chosen for 'Rotation' in the Cam Layout Details screen, to explain why the view says Viewed from Front or Back of Engine. Fixed bug in Virtual Follower screen where the Exhaust was not always drawn correctly (could be drawn same as the Intake). --------------- Nov 2, 2023 Version 4.3 A.038 -------------------- Fixed bug where the Checking Limits report did not work for all options in the Plus version, but did in the Cam Grinder version. Now it works in both versions. Fixed bug report data could be strange if durations were asked for at a lift greater than the lobes max lift. --------------- Nov 1, 2023 Version 4.3 A.037 -------------------- Program should now be better at keeping a backup config file if config file gets corrupted. Fixed an additional bug where reports were not being done correctly, especially if the first cylinder number on the cam was NOT 1. Tried to fix bug where electrical noise or other problems would cause the USB logger to lock up. Now the software should stop advancing to the next lobe if you are on the last lobe no matter how you have Preferences set. --------------- Oct 28, 2023 Version 4.3 A.036 -------------------- Fixed bug where the Radius of Curvature was being calculated on the raw, measured data. Now it is calculated based on the actual cam lobe, as if measured with a knife edge follower. Fixed bug introduced in v4.3 A.028 where the "Compare Lobes" report was not working correctly. Fixed some bugs where reports were not being done correctly, especially if the first cylinder number on the cam was NOT #1. --------------- July 3, 2023 Version 4.3 A.035 -------------------- Program now gives better messages for turning the cam too fast for motorized stands. Program now warns you if you have asked to specify custom centerlines for a Cam Card but the centerlines entered are VERY unusual or blank. --------------- Apr 24, 2023 Version 4.3 A.033 -------------------- Fixed bug displaying correct crank deg numbers when encoder is mounted on the crank. --------------- Apr 3, 2023 Version 4.3 A.032 -------------------- Fixed bug reading furlong data rotary encoder. This could have introduced rare "dead bands" where data was not recorded for 2-3 deg of rotation. Added more files to list of acceptable Example cams to be open in demo mode. Now check marks are updated when you change the Legend Text Size in the Graphs screen. Program gives better error message for a measurement when the starting lift and ending lift are not close together (not on base circle). Graph settings after initial installation are now more typical. Tried to streamline the messages when opening up the demo version. --------------- Mar 18, 2023 Version 4.3 A.030 -------------------- Made several changes to better display Cam Degrees on the recording screen, and Crank Degrees if they have been requested. Now the "Degree Wheel" gauge will always show 0-360 degree markings, UNLESS you have requested Crank Degrees to be displayed. Then the "Degree Wheel" gauge will display markings you have requested in the Test/Cam Setup screen. --------------- Feb 18, 2023 Version 4.3 A.028 -------------------- Fixed bug where Comparison Reports were not working correctly. Made some slight modifications to make Comparison Reports look better. --------------- Feb 16, 2023 Version 4.3 A.027 -------------------- Program now better sets the X scale for Frequencies vs RPM graphs. Eliminated some messages about needing the profile to be measured as a Virtual Follower for some analysis when this was not required. When converting a CPP file, the program now better steps you through the process with a message in the Test/Cam Setup screen. When doing a conversion of a cam file to "Measured with Electronics", the program now explains that for most conversions you do NOT want to include the Base Circle measurement. When doing a conversion of a cam file to "Measured with Electronics", fixed a bug where other settings in the program could prevent this from happening correctly. Now if you manually set the Graph Scales, you can set the X axis to a very large number, like if you are plotting Frequencies vs RPM. Now if you manually set the Graph Scales, the program does not check that you have enter valid X and Y limits if you have selected to do Auto Scaling. Now the program assigns any Valve Lift less than 0 as 0 lift. Cam Lift values less than 0 (like runout) should not be affected. --------------- Dec 30, 2022 Version 4.3 A.026 -------------------- Fix bug when doing graphs as viewed from the end of the cam (circular) introduced in v4.3 A.016 to refresh grid Fixed bug introduced v4.3 A.016 where the "Limit Line" for FFT graphs was not being shown on the graph. Fixed bug where the Valve Acceleration was not being done correctly at lifts below valve lash. Fixed some bugs where making "Pick from List" graphs. Fixed bug where if the camshaft turning direction was CCW and you refreshed the virtual follower cam profile, the data could be incorrect. Increased some limits inside the code to allow more agressive Virtual Follower OHC rocker arm geometries to be calculated. Previously it just produced an error message. Fixed bug where "End View" graphs were not always shown with the best scale so circular portions of the profile looked circular and not oval. Fixed bug so you can exit the Test/Cam Setup screen when trying to undo Virtual Follower changes. --------------- Nov 19, 2022 Version 4.3 A.025 -------------------- Added feature to eliminate some error messages which were not needed. If you select the Option of "Cam Lobe may have 2 bumps", the program now also looks for a flat closing ramp significantly above base circle. Updated Example Layouts43.txt to put the rotary encoder on the Rear of the Briggs Flathead layout, which is more typical. Fixed bug for Cam Grinder version if doing Cam Grinder timing where the labels on the main screen graph could be wrong. Added label to lower left corner of graph to show whether graph is for Crank or Cam Degrees. --------------- Oct 4, 2022 Version 4.3 A.024 -------------------- Fixed bug where Graph Name in History Log was not being updated correctly to reflect file name. The program now handles the situation when you have opened a file with a 'Cam Design' which is not in the list of "Cam Designs" in your program. This occurs when someone with an newer version or their own 'User' Cam Design sends you a cam file. Now able to install USB driver installation for Tester screen under Tools Program is now much better at finding problems with the "Lobe Description" in the Cam Layout screen and warning you of possible problems. Program now better checks the intake and exhaust lobes possible for doing a graph of all data files to be graphed, and allocates the proper graph lines. Before this, the program took the pattern of the current test open on the Main Screen. --------------- Feb 12, 2022 Version 4.3 A.021 -------------------- Added new Preference to allow specifying lower lash points to be allowed in Test/Cam Setup screen, Cam Grinder only. Fixed Help "balloons" over some buttons. Enlarged EZ Data Entry for manual data entry. Improved/updated help screens for EZ Data Entry for manual data entry. Fixed bug where comparison reports of 2 or more files may not make correct comparisons if the Degree Wheel Type for the different files were different. Program now makes sure rows for doing manual data entry are enlarged to accept data. Got rid of message about the electronics if you are starting a new test for manual data entry. Help "balloon" and help caption for Centerline now shows the method for determining centerline, based on a Preference setting. NOTE: It is only done for tests recorded or recalculated after this version, because files from earlier versions were not identified as to how CL was calculated. Now in Report Screen, if you switch between Single and Multiple tests, the report updates accordingly. Made several changes in History Log screen to identify if you are using the History Log to make Graphs or Reports. Now when you make changes in the History Log, the Report screen will be updated with your requests. --------------- Oct 8, 2021 Version 4.3 A.020 -------------------- Now if you are displaying the Crank Degrees while you are measuring a lobe, the Crank Degrees will better match whatever type of Deg Wheel you have selected in Test/Cam Setup. Now the program stops saying "Updating Display Only (not recording)" after you are actually recording data. Updated the Help files for Special Report Options and Virtual Follower screens. Program now warns if you use Preference to advance to next lobe going to the right on the cam (Cam Position Preference), but you just measured the rightmost lobe, you are at the end of the cam. Fixed bug where a Metric conversion was being based on the wrong Preference setting. Improved the process for exporting .igs files in Cam Grinder version. --------------- Sept 21, 2021 Version 4.3 A.019 -------------------- Fixed bug where Valve Spring screen was corrupted, Cam Grinder version only. Fixed bug where Virtual Flat in the program was misspelled as Vitual Flat. Fixed label in Test/Cam Setup screen where metric options did not show the name Lift for Rating Events for that input. --------------- Sept 13, 2021 Version 4.3 A.018 -------------------- Fixed some bugs for displaying Crank Degrees on the Recording screen and where the digital reading did not always match reading on gauge. --------------- Aug 4, 2021 Version 4.3 A.017 -------------------- Lowered limit of the Probe Radius for doing Virtual Follower down to 0.01 inches and 0.25 mm. Fixed help file for the Probe Radius which used the word "diameter" when it should have said "radius". --------------- Aug 1, 2021 Version 4.3 A.016 -------------------- Fixed bug where the requested grid style was not drawn correctly the first time a graph was created. Program now puts check marks by Grid Style being used. Program now puts check marks by Background Color being used. Fixed bug where the graph cursor was not drawn in correct location if the maximum X value was a negative number, like a graph from -360 to -180 degrees. This fix could help other graph features where the maximum X value was a negative number. Fixed bug where some graphs in Cam Grinder version could get corrupted if you requested "Int & Exh" but had only Int or Exh profiles. Eliminated the logger option of "Mini USB w Lift Pot." because we never released it. --------------- July 15, 2021 Version 4.3 A.015 -------------------- Program will NOT allow you to "Check Com Port" or "Boot Message" unless you have the older Black Box II logger. Updated method of displaying PDF files. --------------- July 7, 2021 Version 4.3 A.014 -------------------- Eliminated redudant mnuRequestRemoteAssistance under Main Screen Help. Fixed bug introduced with some recent changes where program would not create files for Engine Analyzer Pro when requested to do so from Engine Analyzer Pro. --------------- Apr 1, 2021 Version 4.3 A.013 -------------------- Fixed bug where you could not choose different loggers in the Tester Calibration screen in the Basic Version. --------------- Feb 26, 2021 Version 4.3 A.012 -------------------- Improved method of exporting some data file types which produced files for CNC machining. Before this the export process left a gap when the 2 ends of the data came around to each other, typically on base circle. Fixed bug where results from exporting various data files could produce inconsistent results, depending on program features used before exporting. If using a potentiometer for lift, the program now does some additional smoothing of the data. When exporting an S96 file, the program produces a better file if the first data point is not exactly at 0 lift. --------------- Oct 26, 2020 Version 4.3 A.011 -------------------- Added new "Electronics" option of "Mini USB w Encoder" and "Mini USB w Pot." This is the new logger to replace the older Black Box II. Program is now better at updating the History Log when you open a file, but also chose to save changes to the previous file. Lash is now saved to 3 decimal places. --------------- Oct 27, 2019 Version 4.3 A.010 -------------------- Trying something to better ensure Reg Code and Config settings are saved correctly. If you enter an improper File or Folder name in the EZ Start Wizard, now you are warned to correct this right at that screen, and not wait until the Wizard wants to start a test. Improved some wording in the EZ Start Wizard. Fixed some errors which would produce messages after recording some data if the data looked somehow wrong. This would cause the program to quit with an error 402 message. --------------- June 29, 2019 Version 4.3 A.009 -------------------- Made several enhancements to "Lobe Analysis" report when using millimeters for lift. Report now also explains why the "Radius of Curv." calculations are blank if not using "Virtual Follower". Fixed a bug where if you had a cam with just 1 intake and 1 exhaust lobe, the program may not always make reports of both lobes if that is what you requested. Fixed a bug where if you converted a profile to 'Measured by Hand' or 'Measured w Electronics', it could be markekd that the Rotary Encoder had never been indexed to the cam. This typically did not matter unless you wanted to advance or retard the cam after making this conversion. Refined messages when searching for Com Port for Cam Pro Plus. --------------- June 10, 2019 Version 4.3 A.008 -------------------- Changed "Low Lobe Area" to "High Lobe Area" and vice versa because these were being labeled wrong. Fixed bug where the "Advanced (browse)" in the "Save As" form was missing. Fixed bug where rezeroing rotary sensor did not always work. Changed some labels from Cam Analyzer v4.0 to Cam Analyzer v4.3 --------------- May 16, 2019 Version 4.3 A.007 -------------------- Added Straight-up.txt help file to installer which explains how to Make Centerlines Equal under Edit on main screen. Made some enhancements to the "Save As" screen. Fixed bug where proper file name was not highlighted in the "Save As" screen by default. Program now does not produce additional Cam Dr files .msu and .des when producing some more advanced file types which are not Cam Dr format. The program is now better at knowing if you have made critical changes to Lifter Bore Angle Details and Cam Layout Details to give warnings about being sure you want to make the change. --------------- Apr 22, 2019 Version 4.3 A.006 -------------------- Fixed bug where program would not let you save a file to the first folder in the list in the 'Save As' screen. Fixed minor bug where program would explain why settings were not saved when you Cancelled starting a New Test, even when you actually did start a new test. Made program more likely to find Adobe printers. Fixed minor bug to prevent program getting into an endless loop if the first settings in the Calculation Utility screen were outside the allowed limits. In "Export as Cam Dr..." under File, the Cam Grinder version now has the option of "Cam Checker" as a file format. Added CamDrB.clc file to installer. Seems to have gotten dropped some how. This allowed for more advanced types of exporting of graph files. When opening a CPP file, the program now goes through the Test/Cam Setup screen so cam timing and centerlines are displayed correctly. Added Cam Layout for "Ford 1.6L 4 cyl pushrod Kent" to Example Layouts43.txt Fixed bug where some Graph Data exported under File could have slightly wrong data written for 1 data point when the X data was exactly .00000 when doing graphs looking from end view of cam (Cam Grinder only). Fixed minor bug in Cam Grider version when you choose to "Pick from List" data to graph, certain parameters pertaining to this graph (listed under the "List" were not immediately enabled until you clicked on something else. --------------- Feb 15, 2019 Version 4.3 A.005 -------------------- Program now stops printing if you Cancel when printing a graph to a PDF printer. Updated caption on Graph screen to v4.3. Added new 'Look for New Adobe Acrobat Reader' button to Preferences to look for an Adobe Acrobate Reader file for displaying PDF help files, like the User's Manual. Updated Preferences Help file. Program now better ensures wrong graph labels are not held over from a previous graph if something goes wrong with displaying graph lines. Program is now better at displaying graph lines for overlay graphs when settings do not make good sense, like when asking for Intake and Exhaust lobes to be graphed, but the files only have Intake lobe data. Adjusted spacing to allow more space for 3rd column in printed headers for reports and graphs. Now if you ask for graphs of "Absolute Lift" (including base circle offset), but you did not measure the cam with Absolute Lift, the program uses the Base Circle entry in Virtual Follower screen as the base circle. Cam Grinder version only. --------------- Nov 18, 2018 Version 4.3 A.004 -------------------- Fixed possible problems doing some Virtual Follower conversions. Fixed possible bug where converting a data file to 'Measured w Electronics' if the closing ramp was very close to the end of the recorded data. Added a new Preference to check for 'bumps' created during a Virtual Follower conversion. This Preference under the Calculations tab is for 'Fix 'Bumps' from Virtual Follower Conversion'. Added Intro Help screen to explain what your options are if a 'bump' is encountered during Virtual Follower Conversion. --------------- Nov 1, 2018 Version 4.3 A.003 -------------------- The program could 'bomb out' on some operating systems when looking for the default printer, for restoring it when shutting down. Now this is sensed and fixed next time you start the program. Changed all references of "Master Encoder" to "Master Cam Tester" in Cam Tester specs screen. Updated some Combo43 and Text files to installer which produced error messages when going into the Test/Cam Setup screen. --------------- Oct 15, 2018 Version 4.3 A.002 -------------------- Program now has updated and proper version of User's Manual PDF and v4.3 Features PDF files. Program now has a new Preference to let you manually load the path to a proper version of Acrobat for displaying PDF files. Message describing what happens in Acrobat now shows message of this new Preference and how to use it if Acrobat does not open. ******************************************************************* ****************** v4.3 A.001 Oct 14, 2018 ********************* ******************************************************************* New Features for the "Cam Grinder" Version Only: We’ve added a feature to allow for a Test Piece picture to be included with your test files and printouts. Program now does not print pictures if either the Logo or Test Piece picture file does not exist. Cam Grinder Version has new options where you can create a Cam Card from separate intake and exhaust files in the special Cam Grinder T iming format. Cam Grinder Timing files were added in v4.0 and do not force the centerlines to line up from different cylinders. They do not account for lifter bore angles or firing order effects. Instead the profiles look much as they would when looking at the end of the cam. New Graph and Report option for Cam Grinder, allow for Crank Degrees or Cam Degrees. If doing Cam Degrees, the program turns Off the Labels of TDC and BDC and always numbers the degrees in reports as numbers, not as a deg wheel. In Cam Grinder version, added a new Rezero Rotary Sensor Option in the Record screen. In Cam Grinder version, added a new Rezero Lift Sensor Option in the Record screen to allow you to specify a certain lift value to be for the lift sensor at it's current position. Added a new profile type for "Measure with Electronics" of "Measure Anything", for cams which are not typical automotive cams. Added a new Graph Type for the Cam Grinder called Overlap Area. It can be done for either Valve Lift or Tappet Lift. You must also include both Intake and Exhaust Valve or Tappet Lift graphs for this graph to be produced. Program now allows for .csv types of output formats and Blair file formats for Exporting. Crank Degrees can now be shown on the Electronics Recording screen in addition to Cam Degrees. Program has several new features for Exporting Manufacturing Files, including: • Added special feature for exporting a Master Cam file. Fig 9.7. • Added option to export Manufacturing Type file in IGES or IGS format. Then you can also specify the base circle to .igs files. • Added feature to allow user to zero out runout on measured profile. If you set this to Yes, the program will find what the program believes to be the start of the opening ramp and end of the closing ramp. Then whichever lift is higher will be assigned the lift of the base circle of the master cam to be created. This will eliminate any runout of the measured profile being passed on to the master cam. The 'downside' of doing this is that if there is a significant difference between lifts at these 2 points (bad runout on measured cam), there could be a discontinuity at start or end of one of the ramps. Added feature to increase or reduce the lobe durations (stretch or compress duration) by a percentage. Cam Grinder version lets you manually generate degrees up to 720 degrees. This can be handy for converting cam files “Measured with Electronics” to “Measured by Hand” so you can do modifications on them. The program now allows much larger Roller Follower diameters, to simulate grinding stones on cam grinders. If this is set, duration and events are done in Cam Degrees, the Degree Wheel data on main screen is now labeled "Cam Degrees" if doing Cam Grinder timing. Added the ability to read .P files. Click on File, then Open from All Saved Tests and click on a .P file to open it. New Features for the Plus Version Only: There is now a Preference setting to let you keep the Graph on the main screen always at the same graph scales. This can cause problems if you open files for cams with different lifts and durations than you normally run, or the cams you test produce quite different lifts and durations. However, if your cams are always about the lift and duration, this new Preference makes it easier to spot changes with the graph on the main screen. Program now states events on the Cam Card are at valve lift if you are using virtual follower rocker arm "Cam on Rocker". If you are creating a Cam Card from a file which contains only intake or only exhaust data, but you have already picked a file to be associated with this file for the other lobes data, the program now reminds you of the associated file when you create a cam card. You can also choose to change or cancel the file associated with this file. A new Overlap option has been added to the Custom Duration Report. Two major new Options screen have been added for the Cam Card, including when clicking on the Options button at the lower right: More Options and odify Labels. The program now displays a graph title on the main screen, stating if the profile is measured with the actual follower, or simulated by Virtual Follower and what type of Virtual Follower. The program now saves the current file as a temporary file before making a Cam Card, so that any changes made during creation of the Cam Card can be restored when program returns to the main screen. The program now allows a roller follower to be one tenth (0.1) the normal lower limit, which is nearly a "knife edge" for the Virtual Follower simulation. This way the Cam Lift numbers can be very close to those measured by the actual pointer, or even smaller. The powerful “Filter” feature lets you search for files containing particular measurements, or comments, etc. (See Appendix 8 for more info on this feature.) Now the list of files fitting a particular “Filter” criteria are displayed in Notepad with better spacing to allow for very long file and folder names when you click "Print list of all files fitting these conditions". This list now also includes the Cam Number. New Features for All Versions: You can now request what to use for "Lift for Rating Events", either .050", .040" (1 mm) or .053" (for Harley Davidson). Added Rated Lift to History Log, and better arranged spacing of History Log columns for information they must contain. The new Mini USB is a possible logger type. Right now this is just a direct replacement of the current Black Box II. In the future we may add more features. Now if you import a cam profile, and the profile has 0.5 deg increments and more than 400 rows of data, the program checks to see if the first row has a whole degree increment like 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, etc or half degree 0.5, 1.5, etc. The program will use the rows where there are whole degree increments. Replaced "Copy" with "Copy (or Merge)" to list of Folder Options possible in 'Save As' screen. Program now explains why changes in 'Starting a New Test' screen are not saved if you don't start a new test. Added features so program can check after writing the config file if it is corrupt and whether a backup should be made. A backup file of the config file is now made and used if the main config file has been corrupted. Form for Starting a New Test now has larger fields for File, Folder, etc names to better display the names completely. Program now saves tests to My-Tests folder if it's original folder was the Examples folder. Overwriting a file from the Examples folder is not allowed. If you change the printer within the program to something other than the computer's default printer, the program now restores the default printer and printer orientation when it shuts down. Program now adjust length of folder and file name in History Log to better fit in available space in the 1st column. You can now import files from the Performance Trends Quick Cam Checker. You need v1.1 A.015 or later of the Cam Checker, which should be a free download on the PerformanceTrends.com website under Downloads. NOTE: The precision of these files are not as good as those measured with the Cam Analyzer on our Cam Test Stand. Added several new features to the “Save As” screen so you can see other files in folders and select these file names as the name to use or edit to use as a new file name. It also has simplified the method of creating a new folder, and listing these file names by date or name. Now the browser should be the default on your computer. Previously it only looked for Internet Explorer. When you resize the main screen, it is more reliable at refreshing all controls and pictures. Program can now better display PDFs in some versions of Windows 10. Did lots of refinements to the buttons on the Graph screen which let you enlarge or shrink the graph, or shift the graphs left, right, up and down. Prior to this, the action could get "stuck" or not do the action exactly as expected. Program has several refinements for reading CPP files more accurately and reliably. Added new Cam Layout types of "Hemi 99" for race only Mopar, the modern Mopar Hemi 5.7/6.1/6.4L, the GM Gen V LT-4 2015, and fixed a bug in Pontiac cam design layout. Cam Layout types are used for data files types of “Measuring with Electronics”. Program now reports significant figures for lift to 5 decimal places. The measurement resolution of lift sensor is .00004 inches, so going to more than 5 decimal places does not produce any more accurate results. Program can now read SVL files (from 4stHEAD program). Program now just displays "Hydraulic" or "Solid" for the Lifter Type for cams that are Measured with Electronics. Previously you could specify various roller or flat Lifter Types, but that did not make sense for cams that are Measured with Electronics. Replaced linear interpolation with curve fitting for exporting cam files for all versions. Files and folders you delete now are actually sent to the Recycle Bin so they can be recovered later if you want. Program is now better at adding numbers to the end of file names by default. Now when you open a file which has a Graph Name specified in the History Log, that Graph Name stays with the file. Previously it was restored to the default File Name as being the Graph Name. Program now tells you your specs "MATCH" the master specs. Before it said "DO MATCH" and many people mistakenly read this as "DO NOT MATCH". Fixed minor bug where if you changed the Graph Name for the first file in the History Log, it would not stay permanently. Fixed bug where if cam file has only exhaust lobes, you could not open it from the History Log on the main screen. Refined the program to be better at reading Black Box II when you have selected the Preference of 'Assume Asian Operating System'. When converting files between Inches and MM lift, now the program uses more decimal places for all files types for more precise conversions. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ v4.3 A.001 Oct 14, 2018 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --------------- July7, 2021 Version 4.0 A.050 -------------------- Fixed bug introduced with some recent changes where program would not create files for Engine Analyzer Pro when requested to do so from Engine Analyzer Pro. --------------- Sept 1, 2018 Version 4.0 A.049 -------------------- Fixed bug where the option of printing the Company Logo graphics file on a Cam Card was lost, somewhere around v4.0 A.030 or so. Now that feature is restored. Fixed bug where if you clicked on a label in the Tester Calibration screen, the program could bomb. --------------- Jan 23, 2018 Version 4.0 A.048 -------------------- Fixed bug in Pontiac cam design layout. Modified Example Layouts.txt file. --------------- Nov 11, 2017 Version 4.0 A.047 -------------------- Program now shows all columns in the history log. Previously it did not show some "graph" columns unless it was opened from the Graph screen. The screen warning that commas are bring used where the program is expecting decimal points "." is now forced to be on top of other screens. Fixed bug where lobes were not always included in the graph if the cam was all intake or all exhaust lobes. --------------- Feb 14, 2017 Version 4.0 A.044 -------------------- Fixed Error 480 bug if restarting with corrupted config file. Fixed bug where the runout could be calculated wrong if you did not start recording the data somewhat well centered on the base circle. Did some other tweeks to the runout calculation if the start of the opening and closing ramps were not found at somewhat the same lift. Fixed bug where program could bomb if you printed main screen to PDF type printer and then cancelled printing. Added ability to read .P files for Cam Grinder version only. --------------- July 29, 2016 Version 4.0 A.042 -------------------- Improved emailing functions. Program now warns user to set 'Allow Less Secure Apps' to ON for Gmail accounts to be able to send emails. --------------- May 12, 2016 Version 4.0 A.041 -------------------- Added Cam Card option of 'Close', to close the Cam Card. Previously you had to click the Red X at upper right. Program now warns you that you can not do a Cam Card starting with a cam which only consistes of Exhaust Lobes, but how to use this "exhaust lobes only" cam on a cam card. Program can now better create cam cards from separate intake and exhaust files. Program now saves the current file as a temporary file before making a cam card, so that any changes made during creation of the cam card can be restored when program returns to the main screen. If doing Virtual Rocker Arm (Cam on Rocker Arm) type of follower, the Cam Card no longer shows the Rocker Ratio. --------------- May 11, 2016 Version 4.0 A.040 -------------------- Fixed a bug where if there was significant runout on base circle, the conversion to the actual cam profile (knife edge data) could have a small spike or dip on the first data point of the conversion. Program now warns you if you are trying to make a Cam Card from 2 separate files (intake and exhaust lobes) and one file is in "Cam Grinder" format and the other is in standard format. Added option on the Cam Card to turn off the association of one file with another for files which have only either all intake or all exhaust lobes. Refined some notes about events measured at Valve Lift when doing Virtual Cam on Rocker Arm files. --------------- May 7, 2016 Version 4.0 A.039 -------------------- Fixed bug where if you specified nothing for the Cam Layout the program could bomb out. Program now gives more information and help about Cam Layout specs not being correct. Program now states events on the Cam Card are at valve lift if you are using virtual follower rocker arm "Cam on Rocker". When you start a cam file using the EZ Start Wizard, the program now explains better that picking the Intake CenterLine, Intake Lift at TDC, etc are now "Int (or Exhaust) Centerline", etc and the Exhaust will be used if the cam has only Exhaust lobes. If you are doing a Virtual Follower Rocker Arm simuilation, the Rocker Arm "behind the scenes" is set to 1.0 to prevent any math being incorrect. That is because the rocker ratio is being simulated by the Virtual Follower Rocker Arm simuilation. Added an additional note in Test/Cam Setup screen of "See note above" to explain why Rocker Ratio is not a visible input. Fixed bug where Rocker Ratio would not always re-appear if it was needed as an input. Fixed bug where the Virtual Follower simulation of a Rocker Arm follower could produce unusual results, where the resultant valve lift could be 180 deg out of phase with what you measured on the tappet. --------------- April 9, 2016 Version 4.0 A.038 -------------------- Refined program to be better at reading Black Box II when you have selected the Preference of 'Assume Asian Operating System'. When converting files between Inches and MM lift, now the program uses more decimal places for all files types for more precise conversions. Did lots of refinements to the buttons on the Graph screen which let you enlarge or shrink the graph, or shift the graphs left, right, up and down. Prior to this, the action could get "stuck" or not do the action exactly as expected. Fixed a bug where one angle for either of the OHC Rocker Arm geometries for the Virtual Follower specs was corrupted when the program converted files from Metric to English or vice versa. Fixed bug where some critical specs could be held over from a previous file if you opened an older Cam Analyzer file, which had a very different file format. Fixed bugs for the "Do 'Cam Grinder' Timing" only in this Cam Grinder file format when doing the Lobe Analysis report. --------------- Mar 12, 2016 Version 4.0 A.037 -------------------- Fixed bug where some Exporting of Mfg files feature would only export the first lobe on the cam. Fixed bug introduced in v4.0 A.032 where the lower limit for a probe radius for the Cam Grinder version was increased to too high a value, like 7 mm or .3 inches. Fixed some bugs for the "Do 'Cam Grinder' Timing" only in this Cam Grinder file format where the Duration Report and Cam Card has some errors, because 'some results were reported in Cam Degrees instead of Crank Deg. Tried to make the degree increments picked for graphs better choices for degrees, like 45, 60, 90, 180, etc. Fixed bug where if a cam had only exhaust lobes and you graphed it with cams with only intake lobes, the exhaust lobes may not be graphed. If you are creating a cam card from a file which contains only intake or only exhaust data, but you have already picked a file to be associated with this file for the other lobes data, the program now reminds you of the associated file when you create a cam card. Fixed bug where if you picked an associated file for the other cam for doing a cam card, the Current File on the main screen could be changed to the associated file you picked. --------------- Feb 21, 2016 Version 4.0 A.036 -------------------- If a test name is more than 50 characters, the program suggests a name of the first 50 characters you have entered. Previously it suggested just the first 12 characters. The Degree Wheel data on main screen is now labeled "Cam Degrees" if doing Cam Grinder timing. Added labelto show if linear sensor has been set up to read in the reverse direction, like when done in the engine (sensor extension is positive lift). Label for noting if linear sensor is in Inches or MM is now more readable on various computer screen resolutions. Modified the requirements for the program saying you are turning the cam too fast when doing measurement, to prevent error messages which are not critical. Now have label explaining if rotary encoder is on crankshaft or on some other rotating component. Changed the scaling on the linear encoder gauge to include negative readings. --------------- Feb 15, 2016 Version 4.0 A.035 -------------------- Program now warns that you can not do the 'Analyze' graph feature if you are graphing 'Show End View of Cam'. Fixed bug in Start New Test Wizard which would happen if the test you were using for a 'Pattern' was using a 'User Finds...' option for finding TDC. Added a note that if the program mistakenly believes the box has been reset just because both Lift and Deg are exactly 0.00, that you can still continue with your measurements. --------------- Jan 30, 2016 Version 4.0 A.034 -------------------- Fixed bug where finding TDC with the linear encoder was not always working correctly, depending on direction of rotation of the cam. Fixed bug where a graph would not include a data point for 0 degrees, but would include -2 and 2 degrees. For Cam Grinder layout, now the output is centered around TDC, or between -180 and 180 degrees. Previously it was centered between 0 and 360 degrees. --------------- Jan 12, 2016 Version 4.0 A.033 -------------------- Put in a fix for reading CPP electronics when linear encoder does not read negative numbers correctly. Added .csv types of output formats for Exporting, which moved the Blair type down 2 spots in the list, from 16 to 18. Fixed bug where if using Millimeters for lift, the Probe Radius you input for the Measuring Probe in the Virtual Follower screen would not be correct, unless you chose one of the 2 preloaded standard types. Fixed some bugs when converting lobes measured in mm to Actual Cam Profile and simulating other virtual follower types, especially if you have said you are measuring Absolute Lift. In Cam Grinder version, the program now allows much larger Roller Follower diameters, to simulate grinding stones on cam grinders. Renamed an option for importing data as a cam profile from "Read Data as Polar Coordinates" to "Read as 2 colums of Degrees and Lift (polar coordinates)" to be more clear. Fixed bug where if you tried to import garbage or nothing as a cam profile, the program could bomb out. Set the option for importing a cam profile to Crank Degrees for degrees. Before neither cam or crank degrees was set so it could be confusing unless the user picked one. Now if you import a cam profile, and the profile has 0.5 deg increments and more than 400 rows of data, the program checks see if the first row has a whole degree increment like 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, etc or half degree 0.5, 1.5, etc. The program will use the rows where there are whole degree increments. --------------- Oct 5, 2015 Version 4.0 A.028 -------------------- Enlarged size of CPPg&(6) to CPPg&(10) for reading extra bits if they are read from the CPP electronics. Added Preference to provide more time when reading the CPP electronics, under 'Electronics' tab, called 'Slow Down CPP Readings'. Typically a setting of 2 or 3 mSec is enough. Program now gives more testing tips for using the CPP electronics. Eliminated some references to Flow Benches in the EZ Start Wizard. --------------- Sept 10, 2015 Version 4.0 A.027 -------------------- Did some refinements of the math to determine TDC location when using a sensor. --------------- July 31, 2015 Version 4.0 A.026 -------------------- Fixed bug where Master Tester Specs were not being loaded correctly. Fixed minor bug in EZ Start Wizard where program would ask about Copying data from another program even if you said you were going to measure the cam with electronics. Program now ALWAYS warns if a gap in measurements is more than 12 Cam Deg, even if the Preference setting says not to warn. Program now just looks to see if 2 successive degree readings are equal to see if the 2nd reading can be disregarded. Before both the deg and lift had to be equal. This helps the program fill in missing data as some degree increments more accurately. If program warns you that you can not save a file to the Examples folder when you exit the program, the program now does NOT continue to shut down, but returns you to the program so you can save the file to a different folder. --------------- June 25, 2015 Version 4.0 A.025 -------------------- Fixed very minor bug where a lobe which had not yet been measured could produce an incorrect error message in Sub FilterLobe. This did not introduce any errors in the data, but was just a nuisance. Cam Grinder version lets you manually generate degrees up to 720 degrees. Fixed minor bug where if you were going to Generate Degree Wheel Readings, the program would not accept a blank for the starting deg increment to be interpretted as 0. Fixed bug where the graph type of "Cam Journals and Lobes" was not graphing the "Actual Cam Profile" (corrected for the radius of the measurement probe) but the tappet lift profile. Fixed bug where the graph types of "Cam Journals" was not being done correctly, especially if the profile and journals were measured in, say, English inches and then converted to Metric mm (or vice versa). Fixed bug where the graph types which included Absolute Lift could get some incorrect conversions because a flag (ConvertUnits% = 0) was not always being reset. Added new Preference called "Do v3.8 Ono Sokki Virtual Follower" to let you have the program exactly duplicate the Virtual Follower simulation done in v3.8. Starting at v4.0 A.024, the default simulation is very slightly from v3.8. TDC Measurements from "Find TDC w Sensor" are now stored in debugging file called: TDCLogFile.txt Fixed a bug where the rotary sensor's index could get corrupted if you had used the feature of "Find TDC w Sensor". --------------- Jan 4, 2015 Version 4.0 A.021 -------------------- Fixed bug where a lable in the 'Test/Cam Setup' screen which said "Click Here...." did not produce the info message when you clicked on it. Fixed bug where if you started to measure a cam which had some 'extra' advance or retard added to it from a setting in the 'Test/Cam Setup' screen was not zeroed out. Now this is zeroed out so the measured lobe has zero advance/retard when it is measured. --------------- Nov 25, 2014 Version 4.0 A.020 -------------------- Fixed minor bug where if you changed the Graph Name for the first file in the History Log, it would not stay permanent. Program now accepts data frames from Cam Pro Plus (CPP) electronics to as small as 4 bytes. This should make it more compatible with a wider range of Cam Pro Plus electronics. --------------- Nov 15, 2014 Version 4.0 A.019 -------------------- Fixed bug where Cam Pro Plus version would not read correctly if Linear sensor was not hooked up. Program now hides some input which are not used for some particular follower types in the Virtual Follower screen. Changed some names and their help definitions of inputs in the Virtual Follower screen. --------------- Sept 12, 2014 Version 4.0 A.017 -------------------- Program now blanks out the flag for "Converted from Hand Measurements" when you start a new test. Program now lets you try to reverse this Conversion process. Program now better explains you can 'Click here' for info on why certain Test/Cam Setup settings are disabled. --------------- June 24, 2014 Version 4.0 A.016 -------------------- Adjusted the "Hemi 99" layout for more correct lifter bore angles. Electronics recording screen now will adjust so it will appear even if the last saved Top and Left positions of the screen would put it off the screen. Made some refinements to process of measuring a cam with the Rotary Encoder installed on something which spins with the engine, but not cam or crankshaft. Program will now keep a rotary sensor calibtation from the Rotary Encoder installed on something which spins with the engine, so it can be use for checking other cylinders and check timing between lobes. Program now keeps track of when you have "calibrated" the rotary encoder when it is installed on something which spins with the engine (not cam or crank). It will warn the user if this calibration was done quite a while ago and may have changed. In Graph Screen, when you click on View, then Cam Summaries, program now shows the cam data like CLine, Dur, RAR, etc. Added option to Export Manufacturing Type file in IGES or IGS format. --------------- Mar 5, 2014 Version 4.0 A.015 -------------------- Program now warns if you are trying to do a graph or report which requires the Virtual Follower analysis, but the test file has not been identified as using a 'Virtual Follower'. Fixed bug where the Cam Degrees were not being figured directly if you chose the option for the Rotary Encoder to be mounted on the Crankshaft. Fixed bug where if you tried to find TDC again when Measuring with Electronics, the program would not let you. Made the notice about lift being either measured directly or simulated by Virtual Follower a title of the graph on the main screen to make it more apparent to the user what was being done. --------------- Feb 8, 2014 Version 4.0 A.014 -------------------- Program now blanks out all SpringNumLabel$() before assigning them. Prior to this, if a cam had only 1 lobe, label 2 for lobe 2 could be assigned even if lobe 2 did not exist. --------------- Feb 1, 2014 Version 4.0 A.013 -------------------- Added new Cam Layout type for "Hemi 99" for race only Mopar 1999 Hemi block and heads. Program now provides better explanation of steps for measuring absolute lift, which includes journals and base circle diameters. Program now better uses the Cam Grinder graph options under the list of graph types to 'Pick' in the Graph Specs screen. Program now checks if you export Polar Data from the Graph screen to ensure you will get true base circle data points. Updated the Help screens for Exporting Cam Dr and Export Manufacturing data files. Restored some features which were inadvertantly lost in versions released in Nov and Dec 2013. These features related to exporting data files and graphing, especially for the more advanced Cam Grinder version. Program now informs you if you export "Raw 'As Measured' Data" it is always in inches, even if the program is set to use Millimeters. --------------- Jan 11, 2014 Version 4.0 A.012 -------------------- Fixed some bugs introduces in v4.0 A.011 when a section of code was put backk to an earlier version by mistake. That section of code has now been restored. --------------- Jan 4, 2014 Version 4.0 A.011 -------------------- Eliminated an error message when creating reports for files created by 'Measure with Electronics' after being converted to 'Measured by hand'. Program now displays a message if you Edit the duration but the cam centerlines have been corrupted or are missing. This would cause the cam timing to change also with this editting. --------------- Jan 2, 2014 Version 4.0 A.010 -------------------- Added more explanation about sensor motion needed for finding TDC. During the Analyze feature, where 2 lobes were adjusted (advanced/retarded) to find the best agreement between them, previously the adjustment was done to 0.2 deg crank increments. Now it is done in 0.1 degree increments. Program now checks that the Probe Radius is a reasonable value before doing any Virtual Follower calculations. Improved the Sub AssignMaxLifts so that previews would be more accurate when a cam could contain something different more than 1 intake and 1 exhaust lobe. Added feature to increase or reduce the lobe durations by a percentage. Cam Grinder Version only. Program now gives an explanation of the note in the Test/Cam Setup screen about the cam file being converted from various types of cam files, which may disable certain 'Electronics' options. --------------- Oct 30, 2013 Version 4.0 A.008 -------------------- Centered the company logo pic better from top to bottom on the main screen if it was short and wide. Program now does NOT bring up the recording screen when pressing the F5 key unless you've set up the program to have Electronics working. Added variable PolarAdvance! so the amount of Advance or Retard specified in the Test/Cam Setup would also be included in a special Cam Grinder graph type of "View from End of Cam" = "Yes". Fixed bug where program now recovers better if the Company Logo graphics file is not available or has become corrupted. Fixed a bug introduced in v4.1 A.001 where the Cam Grinder options could produce strange looking accel graphs with Valve Lift very close to zero. --------------- May 11, 2013 Version 4.0 A.006 -------------------- Changes wording in Camshaft Layout Details from "Number of Intake Lobes" to "Intake Lobes per Cylinder" to better explain what is needed. Fixed bug where not all of the "More Options" features were activated in the Test/Cam Setup screen, for Plus version. For Cam Grinder version, if you convert a file format to 'Measured with Electronics' so you can do more detailed analysis, the program will now ask you if you want a Base Circle measurement included with the lobe measurements. Program now shows the proper Probe description when Virtual Follower calculations are being performed. The correct probe WAS always being used in the calculations, but the screen did not show this. Got the Export options on the Graph Screen to work better. Made the program less fussy about what it would call "turning the cam too fast" when measuring with electronics. --------------- Feb 18, 2013 Version 4.0 A.005 -------------------- Better ensure that the scale on the X axis for graphing cam profile when viewed from "End of Cam" stays with 3 decimal places. This was not always the case if the graph was resized. Added DoingPolarGraphMode% so program would allow smaller increments for manually scaling the graph when X axis is small for graphing the end view of the cam. If you were quitting program and pressed 'Cancel' when asked to save your changes, the program continued to shut down. Now it stays open. Fixed some bugs in the Prefrences screen where the 'Send Test Email' button was not working. Added more detail to the Help screen for Preferences, especially for emailing. --------------- jan 23, 2013 Version 4.0 A.004 -------------------- Added 'Cam Grinder' to About screen if Cam Grinder version. Fixed bug where base circle was not added correctly to the lift if it was not measured, but "simulated" from Virtual Follower Base Circle input. Changed how program was displaying cam profile when viewed from "End of Cam". Now it has bee been rotated 90 deg, so typical cam timing shows intake lobe at approximately 10 o'clock and exhaust at 2 o'clock positions. --------------- Oct 1, 2012 Version 4.0 A.003 -------------------- Fixed bug where unlocking codes did not always work. Added better explanation of Find TDC option on Main Screen for finding TDC when Measuring with Electronics. Program now checks for Cam Pro Plus electronics when you click on the Find button in Tester Settings screen. Program now states you need a 'straight through' serial cable for the Cam Pro Plus electronics. Now only look for Com Ports up to 15. (16 can give problems). Removed 'Preliminary Version' label on opening Splash Screen. --------------- June 18, 2012 Version 4.0 A.001 -------------------- Here's the text of Appendix 6 in the user's manual, which covers the v4.0's new features in more details with lots of figures. Cam Analyzer has had many updates since this user manual was written for the original v2.0 for Windows. These include 3.2A (Appendix 3), 3.2B (Appendix 4), v3.8 (Appendix 5) and now v4.0 (Appendix 6). Here is a listing of some of the new features for Version 4.0: Cam Analyzer v4.0 actually has 5 different versions now, which include: • Cam Analyzer Basic (for analyzing cam data from either manual data entry or computer cam files) • Cam Analyzer Plus (for more detailed analyzing of cam data from either manual data entry or computer cam files) • Cam Analyzer Basic for use with the electronic Cam Test Stand (CTS) sensors • Cam Analyzer Plus for use with the electronic Cam Test Stand sensors • Cam Analyzer Plus for use with the electronic Cam Test Stand sensors, with advanced “Cam Grinder” features Note that some of these new features apply only to the Plus Version and/or “Cam Grinder” version of the software. Also note that the “Cam Grinder” version contains all Plus Version features. New Features for the “Cam Grinder” Version Only: The Cam Grinder version of the program now allows you to measure each lobe and NOT adjust for lifter bore angles and firing order. Instead of all Intake and Exhaust lobes lining up on top of each other (except for manufacturing variations), the lobes fall out as they would as you look at the end of the cam. This is how most Cam Grinders prefer to see the results displayed. Fig A44B. The Cam Grinder version of the program now allows you to measure the absolute lift of the lobes and bearings. This way you can get a picture of the cam as viewed from the end, with all lobes shown as they are ground on the cam. You also can see how the lobes compare to the journals and how the journals look compared to each other (cam bent). In doing this, the program first asks you to measure the journals lying on the V blocks, or first and last journal on cam if mounting the cam on centers. This you do with a dial indicator. Then the program steps you through a sequence of measurements on these journals on the stand. This way any slight slope of the cam on the stand is corrected for. After that, you must be careful to not adjust the height of the linear encoder as this will cause errors in height measurements. This way also allows the CTS (Cam Test Stand) to measure the base circle of each lobe. Figs A45, A46. The Cam Grinder version of the program now allows you to pick various data types to graph and combine them on 1 graph. It also includes several new data types for graphing (Figs A47-52), like: • Absolute Lift (This is lift measured from the center line of the cam. If you have a 1.100” diameter base circle and a .400” max tappet lift, you should see approximately .550” of lift on base circle and .950” (.550” + .400”) of lift at max lift.) Figs A47, A48, A49. • Thrust Angle (For a roller cam, this is the angle the contact force is acting on the follower, typically putting some amount of side loading or thrust on the follower.) • Contact Point (How far from center of the follower has the contact point moved.) Fig A50. • Radius of Curvature (The radius of curvature at this particular point on the Actual Cam Profile.) • Raw Cam Data as Measured (This is what the linear encoder measured.) Fig A49. • Actual Cam Profile (This is what a “knife edge” pointer would have measured. This is the “Raw Cam Data as Measured” but correcting for the radius of the pointer which was doing the measurements. This should be what a cam grinder would have for a design file.) Fig A47. • Lift Frequency Analysis * • Acceleration Frequency Analysis (Fig A52). * • Jerk Frequency Analysis * * These Frequency Analysis graphs can be done either vs Order Number or RPM Based on the Natural Frequency of a valve spring. The specs for the Natural Frequency of the Valve Spring are contained in the Test/Cam Setup Screen. See Appendix 7 for more details on this Frequency Analysis, FFT Analysis. The Cam Grinder version of the program now allows you to import X and Y data or Polar coordinates of degrees and radius to generate a cam profile. This is done by clicking on the Tappet Lift title column. Then the Edit Test Data screen opens up and there are new Advanced Import Features with several options. Figs A53, A54. The Cam Grinder version of the program lets you enter valve spring info to estimate the spring’s natural frequency. This allows Frequency Analysis graphs to be graphed vs Engine RPM rather frequency order number. Fig A52 and Appendix 7. Program has an "Export Manufacturing Style Cam File". Two basic formats are currently available, P File and X,Y Data. Fig A55. Program has an “Export Graph Data as File” option, so you can export any data you can graph as a comma separated text (ASCII) data file. If you click on this option, the program will ask for a file name. If you give it a .csv extension, it will open directly in Microsoft Excel. Fig A50. Program has an Edit option of “Cut and Append”. Say you have recorded 360 degrees of data (typical for a “Measured with Electronics” file), but the data starts right at the opening ramp. You would like to have the data start about 100 degrees before the opening ramp. You could use this command to take copy the last 100 data points and put them before the opening ramp. When done, it would appear that you started recording the data 100 deg earlier. (Typically this is only needed for fixing mistakes, or working with VERY unusual cams like the Ducati desmodromic cam.) You can now select for a variable amount of Filtering (smoothing) the cam lift data when exporting cam files (None, Some, Medium, Heavy). (This is not allowed for cam files exporting “Raw” data.) Major New Features for v4.0 Plus Version (also in Cam Grinder Version): The program can now use most any radius pointer for measuring a cam for doing the Virtual Follower analysis. This means that you could measure a cam with the .750" diameter Universal Roller and then correct to what it would be with a .800", or .700" diameter roller. You can also correct to something really different, like the exact cam profile as ground, like you were measuring the cam with a "knife edge" pointer. An additional advantage of using a follower instead of the encoder probe directly is no side loading is put on the encoder probe, thus avoiding possible damage. Figs A44A, A56. The Virtual Follower screen can now be enlarged for analysis in greater detail. Fig A56. You now have 2 options for Analyze option at the graph screen: Just show 'the max difference between lobes, or show the difference between the lobes at all data points. Now the program draws the actual profile lift (like the profile was measured with a “knife edge” pointer) on the Virtual Follower screen, in addition to follower lift. The program draws this in green and made the text boxes green which relate to this measurement. Fig A56. Cam Card now has options for printing, printer setup, including a lobe from a different file for either an intake or exhaust lobe if the cam you are currently reporting has only Intake or Exhaust lobes, or including the Company Logo graphics file on the card. Fig A57. Program now has a “Filtering” option to quickly find files fitting certain criteria. This would be like finding all files which have “CHEV” in the file name or the comments section, or files having the number “346” in the Grind number recorded after a certain date, etc. Fig A56 and Appendix 8. Seating Velocity report now includes option to estimate the lash point on cams. Fig A59. The Custom Duration reports now have an option for including asymmetry. Major New Features for v4.0 Std Version (also in Plus and Cam Grinder Versions): New emailing options have been added in Preferences to work better with most any emailing system, like gmail, yahoo, etc. . Fig A60. Program now has the ability to import just 1 lobe from a single lobe data file, like S96 or Comp Cams format into an existing Cam File. This allows you to build a cam consisting of and Intake and Exhaust lobe where the lobes can come from 2 different sources (different files and different file formats). Fig A91. When opening files, a new option has been added of "List by Date File was Last Saved". This lets you more quickly find files you have recently changed or worked with. Program will now allow direct conversion from most any type of data to 'Measured with Electronics' in a 2 step process. This conversion is necessary to allow you to do more advanced analysis of cam data. Minor Changes/Bug Fixes for v4.0: Added a Preference under the Calculations tab so you can change the lash the program assumes for doing Valve Lift, Acceleration, Velocity, etc graphs and reports. Note that the Cam Card always assumes .006 inches for doing Advertised duration and events. You can now select 'Some' for 'Lift Filtering' for making a Graph or Report for most all cam files EXCEPT those Measured with Electronics or Created from Simple Specs. This was what was done prior to v4.0. Now you have an additional option of 'Some (including meas. w elec.)' so that you can do further smoothing of the recorded lift data. This can be especially useful when creating certain special graphs, like Simulating the Actual Cam Profile when it was measured with the pointer or a roller of a certain diameter. Fixed bug where conversion to 'Measured by Hand' was not done correctly if you asked for it almost immediately after opening up the program. Program now keeps ALL cam file data points imported from Cam Dr, Cam Pro Plus, etc for Plus or Cam Grinder versions. Limit for std version is still data points with .0015” lift or greater. Program now correctly keeps cam Centerlines, Advance, etc when you import Cam Dr files when you ask to keep ALL timing events. Printed graphs have been improved. Previously there could be a “broken” border on the left side. Fixed some bugs where doing graphs where extra lobes could be included in a graph which were not requested. Fixed a bug where a graph may not be updated correctly if you did not go back through the Graph Specs screen. Program now does not do additional smoothing to lift curve if data is from a computer generated file. This is to save considerable calculation time. Company Logo now appears on the main screen. Plus and “Cam Grinder” Version Only. Fig A44B. Printouts have been refined to look better with various screen resolutions and operating systems. The program now better imports certain data files which may have been stored in different units than what the program is set up for, inches vs mm. Fixed bug where Intro Help Messages would cause the first graph open when starting program to possibly be bad. Added more Cam Layout templates, 240/300 Ford 6 cylinder, 170/200 Ford 6 cylinder, 250/292 Chevy 6 cylinder. The program now looks for lift points greater than 10 inches when reading in Cam Dr, Cam Pro Plus, etc cam files and edits them out. This can occasionally happen and is likely caused from the imported file being slightly corrupted, or being a slightly different version than we have encountered before. Fixed a minor bug where the graph on the main screen may not completely show all lobes. Fixed a bug where the graph screen could be significantly more narrow than what was available on the screen. In the Plus and Cam Grinder versions, now you can Advance or Retard the cam degree wheel readings by up to 360 degrees under the Edit options. If you do this command more than once, you can advance or retard readings even more. ^^^^^^^^^ Version 4.0 (June 2012) Changes are Above this point ^^^^^^^^^ --------------- April 9, 2011 Version 3.8 A.031 -------------------- Left in some new, non-finalized features by mistake. This messed up the Virtual Follower calculations. Reduced max Crown Radius for Virtual Follower Flat tappet to level which does not produce errors. Fixed some items for Editting manual data entry, specifically being able to delete an individual row for more data and deleting an individual row. Program now automatically advances the text input box for manual data entry of cam deg and lift data much better if you are entering data beyond the standard lifts generated. Fixed a persistant bug which was believed to be completely fixed in v3.8 A.030 where some data points could be removed when the screen was continually resized and maximized. Fixed some bugs in Seating Velocity calculations. For Seating Velocity calculations, now the program lets you specify the Filtering level to apply to the velocity data for determining the cam velocity for the calculations. --------------- April 4, 2011 Version 3.8 A.030 -------------------- When converting a file to "Measured with Electronics", the program now keeps the minimum lift as the lowest lift measured, which is NOT the default typically used by the program. If you click on the 'More Options' button at the bottom of the Test Options screen, you will see this option. (Previously, the AVERAGE lift on base circle, not lowest lift, was used. With large base circle runout, this could be a problem.) Program now lets you keep the centerlines of a Cam Dr file. This is done by setting "Keep" to "Lobe Sep. and Int/Exh CL". Now graphs on the Main Screen draw the DEG scales better, so negative crank degrees are shown correctly for even degree increments When manually entering Crank Degrees for 'Measured by Hand' cam profiles, the program would not allow for some very large duration cams. Fixed bug where if you were entering lift data manually, and changed the lobe (clicked on a different lobe tab) before completely entering the number, some data could be erased. When measuring In Engine, the program should now not continue to ask if you want to Find TDC after you have found it for the first lobe. --------------- Feb 11, 2011 Version 3.8 A.029 -------------------- Electronics Readings screen now "flashes" black in addition to beeping when you have completed 400 deg rotation for measuring a lobe with electronics. Fixed some bugs concerning Exporting of Cam Files. Program now also looks for Eng An Pro v3.9 automatically for exporting, and will include Win 7 and Vista installations. Fixed bug where the "Lash" for the Seating Velocity reports was being added to the existing lash in the Test/Cam Setup screen, Plus Version Only. Now the existing lash in the Test/Cam Setup screen is NOT included so the lash your enter for the Seating Velocity report is the entire lash used. Program and installer are now digitally signed, providing for less warning messages, and less problems from anti-virus software. --------------- Jan 16, 2011 Version 3.8 A.027 -------------------- Fixed bug where program only allowed Com Ports up to 8. Now they go up to Com 15. Fixed a bug discovered when doing Harley Davidson cams with significant uneven firing crankshaft. Made program more forgiving for user finding TDC with 'TDC Bridge' or on New Design stands when linear encoder can slide past V Blocks. Improved the Graph Increments to follow even 180 degree increments for very large ranges of degrees, and labeling them BDC and TDC. --------------- July 6, 2010 Version 3.8 A.025 -------------------- Fixed bug where program would not export files to Engine Analyzer Pro v3.9 correctly unless they were measured by the Cam Test Stand. Program had increased the maximum height for duration and lobe area reports up to .650 inches (13 mm) in v3.8 A.001, but somehow this got eliminated in a later version. Added 'Request Remote Assistance' feature under Help on main screen. --------------- June 24, 2010 Version 3.8 A.024 -------------------- Fixed possible bug introduced in v3.8 A.023 where the electronics may not record correctly. --------------- May 26, 2010 Version 3.8 A.023 -------------------- Fixed minor bug where program would not always remember setting Com Port to Port #1. Other port #s worked fine. Program now returns to the same lobe on the main screen even if you make some major changes to the Cam or Virtual Follower specs in the Test/Cam Setup screen. Added new Edit option on main screen, to be able to Erase a lobe which was measured with electronics. Program now no longer shows the entire path of a file in the History Log if it is stored on the default CamData folder. Program should no longer warn about checking Encoder Options when you start a new test when you are measuring the cam on the stand. Program is now better at matching the exact desired centerline you requested when measuring a cam with electronics and timing the cam based on Centerline. Fixed bug (probably introduced in v3.8 A.022) where certain Cam Card data was not correct for cams measured with electronics and 1 intake and 1 exh lobe per cylinder. --------------- April 30, 2010 Version 3.8 A.022 -------------------- Fixed a rare bug where if you switch the cam data from 'Measured with Electronics' to 'Measured by Hand', the program would now always find the correct single Intake and single Exhaust Lobes to save if you had multiple or 0 intake or exhaust lobes on a cam. Fixed bug (probably introduced in v3.8 A.015) where Exh Lift at TDC may not be correct for cam card report. Fixed bug where Exh Gross Lift was not being updated when you were working with simple cam specs, like describing cam by duration at .050". Program now suggests saving to the 'My-Tests' folder if the folder you opened a test from is not available (like the Examples folder). Program now restores the correct Test File Name if you cancel out of opening a Cam Dr or CPP file. Program now displays more info in the Title Bar at the top of the program's main screen when there is a very long test file name. Program should now find Acrobat better (to display user's manual) for various versions of Windows Vista and Win 7. --------------- Nov 6, 2009 Version 3.8 A.019 -------------------- Fixed bug in Std version where printouts could have some overwritten text of the Test Summary data. Fixed bug where a possibly erroneous 'Asymetry' value could show up in some reports in the Std version. --------------- Nov 5, 2009 Version 3.8 A.018 -------------------- Program now allows file names in History up to 100 characters (was only 30). Fixed bug where if you loaded a Plus Version file which used the where Method to Determine TDC' was set to 'User finds TDC with Sensor' for finding TDC, the program could "bomb" if you went into the Test/Cam Setup specs screen. Fixed bug where the Alternate Lifts for Duration reports were not being saved in the Preferences screen. --------------- Aug 8, 2009 Version 3.8 A.016 -------------------- Fixed bug where now S96 files can be exported for individual lobes on cams with multiple intake and/or exhaust lobes. --------------- July 11, 2009 Version 3.8 A.015 -------------------- Fixed bug where cam lift for duration reports for cams with just exh lobes were not being displayed in the reports. This could also affect Cam Cards for these cams. Fixed bug where not all data for Cam Cards were being displayed for cams with more than 1 intake or exhaust lobe. Cam Card now reports which lobe is being used for cams with multiple intake and/or exhaust lobes. --------------- June 19, 2009 Version 3.8 A.014 -------------------- Fixed bug believe to have been introduced in v3.8 A.012 where the program did not correctly convert profiles measured with the probe to the a virtual follower profile. Fixed a bug where the input box for graphing a particular lobe (A,B,C) on cams with 2 or more intake or exhaust lobes was not visible for you to access. --------------- June 4, 2009 Version 3.8 A.013 -------------------- Fixed bug where recent changes dropped the "Virtual OHC End Pivot Rocker" follower type in the Virtual Follower specs by mistake. --------------- May 27, 2009 Version 3.8 A.012 -------------------- Now when you get an error message saying you are turning the cam too fast, the program tells you exactly where on the lobe (lift and opening/closing ramp) the cam was turned too fast. Fixed bug where unusual cam layouts would not correct apply changes to the Virtual Follower specs screen to intake and exhaust lobes correctly. Fixed bug where you could not "Pick" lobes on a graph with a cylinder number higher than the number of cylinders on the cam. For example, if you had a cam with cylinder numbers 1,3,5,7, you could not "Pick" a cylinder number higher than 4. Fixed bug where program would not graph or report All cylinders if the cylinder numbering on the cam incremented by 2, like 1,3,5,7. Now after fixing this bug, for these type of cams, you must "Pick" 1,3,5,7 to graph All lobes. --------------- May 20, 2009 Version 3.8 A.011 -------------------- Increased maximum number of characters allowed for test comments from 400 to 1400. Fixed bug where program would not always subtract out lash when graphing valve lift results. Fixed bug where program was allowing some kinds of Edit options for cam profiles measured with electronics. These types of edits are not allowed unless you convert these files to the "Type of Cam Data" as "Measured by Hand" in Test/Cam Setup. Put in extra checks and warnings when you delete a test file or a test folder in the screen for "Open (from all saved tests)". Program now asks which lobe on which to base the Cam Card if there are more than 1 intake or exhaust lobe for cylinder #1. Fixed bug where if you click on the name Rocker Ratio when Rocker Ratio was being determined by Virtual Follower calculations (there was no field in which to enter Rocker Ratio), the program would bomb out. Fixed bug where the Lobe Tabs across the top of the main screen did not match the lobes on the cam drawing on the bottom if the cylinders incremented by 2 or more between lobes. Fixed bug where the Open and Save features for the Virtual Follower inputs were not being done. Added routine to check if Vista VirtualStore files have been copied back to normal Cam Analyzer folders. Now program should require you to 'Allow' it to run in Vista (same as right click on desktop icon, then select 'Run As Administrator'). This should make the program more Vista compatible. --------------- Feb 28, 2009 Version 3.8 A.009 -------------------- Improved the accuracy and reliability of Exporting S96 cam files. Added new Preference to allow program to eliminate occasional Noise Spikes in recorded data. Changed the Options in the Data Recording Screen to now include a "Troubleshooting" section with some new Troubleshooting features. Added much better Help information for the Data Recording Screen. --------------- Aug 15, 2008 Version 3.8 A.007 -------------------- Fixed bug where program would not offer the Preference to "Show More Options" button for the Plus version when measuring the cam with Electronics. --------------- July 14, 2008 Version 3.8 A.006 -------------------- When graphing Cam Data for a Virtual Follower Rocker Arm system, the program will now graph the Raw Cam Data recorded with the pointer directly on the lobe. Fixed a bug where if you graphed Valve Data for a Virtual Follower Rocker Arm system, the data was multiplied by the (hidden) Rocker Ratio and was wrong. Added "Stop Showing Help Tips" and "Restore Defaults" buttons to the Preferences screen. Fixed some bugs where some choices were not set correctly in the EZ Start Wizard if you choose 'Yes' to run another test just like the current test. --------------- July 9, 2008 Version 3.8 A.003 -------------------- Program now opens the library automatically from the EZ Start Wizard if you choose to pick a test for a pattern. Updated Preference settings for being better defaults. Erased History Log for initial program installation. Program no longer tries to copy config info when copying files from an old Cam Analyzer program. The 'Unlock Plus Features' is now always displayed. Refreshed the initial SB Chevy on Stand file so the virtual follower specs would work well with the Plus Demo. Eliminated 'Preliminary Version' from intro splash screen. Fixed bug in EZ Start Wizard where it could bomb program depending on your choices. EZ Start Wizard now knows what Measurement Type you will do even if you don't select it in the program. The Watch Cam/Follower button now is always shown with the Plus Version and if you click on it, the program now explains why you may not be able to Watch Cam/Follower if you are not using Virtual Follower. *************** July 1, 2008 Version 3.8 A.001 **************** Numbers in (), like (Fig A22), mean Fig A22 in the user's manual. The full user's manual or the v3.8 Supplement is available by clicking on Help, then selecting User's Manual or just v3.8 Supplement. Cam Analyzer has had many updates since this user manual was written for the original v2.0 for Windows. These include 3.2A (Appendix 3), 3.2B (Appendix 4) and now v3.8 (Appendix 5). Here is a brief listing of some of the features new since v3.2B was released, including Version 3.8’s new features. Cam Analyzer v3.8 actually has 4 different versions now, which include: Cam Analyzer Basic Cam Analyzer Plus Cam Analyzer Basic with features to use the electronic Cam Test Stand sensors Cam Analyzer Plus with features to use the electronic Cam Test Stand sensors Prior to this, all versions communicated to the Cam Test Stand, however the Plus version added very little to the user who did not have the Test Stand. Now the Plus version does add several features for users not using the Cam Test Stand. Note that some of these new features apply only to the Plus Version of the software. New Features for General Program Operation: The program now has an “EZ Start Wizard” to walk beginners through the steps of starting a new test. (Fig A20) This feature should greatly aid the user to understand all options which can affect the various tests they can run. Added several features for emailing graphs, files and PDF reports (if you have the full Adobe Acrobat ™ or some other software which offers a “PDF” printer option). (Fig A21) Click on File at top main screen and you will see new Import and Export options. The Export command is similar to the old Create Cam Dr or Comp Cams files. The new v3.8 also includes creating S96 format files, “raw” data files for data from cams “Measured with Electronics”, exporting raw data at 1 crank degree (0.5 cam degree) intervals, and default location for the Engine Analyzer Pro v3.5’s Cam Files. There are 2 raw data export options, Raw ‘As Measured’ data which is the measured data before any conversions, and Raw Converted data is the profile after any conversions (like virtual follower conversions) have been done. The Import command has 3 options, mainly explaining how you can open files of several different cam file formats, and one discussed in the paragraph below. (Fig A22) Program will automatically look for old v3.2 files and copy them over to this new v3.8. You can also do this manually by clicking on File at top main screen, then Import, then Import All Files from a Cam Analyzer Program. (Fig A22) Program now has a 'Website' button in the About screen for jumping to www.performancetrends.com website. Program has added some new 'Edit' commands for copying cam data to and from the Cam Analyzer to other analysis programs. One is the ability to right click on the top of the data columns in the lower left corner of the main screen, and select to copy the Lift Only or Lift and Degree data to the Windows Clipboard. More include to click on Edit at top of main screen, then: “Add To/Subtract From” to add or subtract a user defined amount of lift. Make Mirror Image Make Centerlines Equal (zero advance See Fig A23. The Preferences screen has grown, so we’ve now redone the layout to include tabs for the various groups of Preferences. (Fig A24) Now when you switch between Inches and Millimeters for the Lift Increments in Preferences, the program also converts: Specified lifts for the standard duration reports is also converted to the new lift units. Dimensions in the Cam/Test Setup screen. Dimensions in the Virtual Follower screen. Program now has added Backup and Restore commands under File at the main screen. (Fig A22) The main screen now displays better for screen resolutions greater than 600 x 800. The screen colors are now more compatible with Windows XP. Now when you click on a graphed point on the main screen, the row for that data point gets highlighted in the table of results. Program now better remembers the printer type and printer page orientation when you make changes to the Windows Printer Setup. Program now has new preference to let you pick a Company Logo graphics file to appear in your printouts. The logo prints out in Graph printouts also. (Fig A24) Plus Version Only. There have been several refinements to the program to produce better looking printouts for graphs and reports. Updated the routine to locate an appropriate version of Adobe Acrobat ™ to view the PDF files for the user manual. A new Preference has been added to allow you to change the line colors used for graphing and printing graph lines. (Fig A24) New Format option to Open/Save/Edit a particular graph format. This allows you to save the graph type, graph scales, etc to a particular name. Then you can easily Open these saved formats to reproduce a graph format in the future. This is available by clicking on Format, then Open/Save/Edit Graph Format. (Fig A25) The Graph screen now has a Format feature to display the “Legend” (line labels) on the right side in a larger font, and scroll up and down through the labels. Since the font is larger, not all labels can be displayed on the screen if several data types are being graphed. (Fig A26) The Graph screen can now accommodate up to 72 individual graph lines (data types). (Fig A26) Added several new features for writing ASCII files from reports. (Fig A27) Report names can now include the path. Now you can browse to find or create a file name and path for writing the ASCII file. ASCII reports can now include the test comments. Program now remembers ASCII file settings. The Preference which allows you to choose a default Floppy/CD drive has been expanded to include letter drives from A to Z. Program now prints headers of graphs and reports the same, and modifies the spacing to better ensure that long test file names are printed completely. As mentioned earlier, you can also include a company logo graphic image in the Plus Version. Made graph line flash rate independent of computer speed (.2 second flash rate). New Outputs (Features for Graphs and Reports): Note: All these new features apply Only to the Plus Version of Cam Analyzer. You can now Advance and Retard the cam profile after it has been “Measured with Electronics”. This is a very powerful feature for making adjustments and analysis after the cam has been measured. Plus Version Only. (Fig A28) You can convert most any cam data to the Cam Analyzer format of “Measured with Electronics. This format has several of additional analysis options available (like the several new Report Types below), and also enables you to use the Virtual Follower calculations. This means that you can measure a cam profile by hand with the dial indicator directly on the cam lobe (no follower), convert it to this format, and then use the Virtual Follower calculations to see what this cam would do with various roller diameter followers, or OHC Rocker Arm geometries. This also means that you can import a cam profile measured by some other system (Andrews, Cam Dr, Cam Pro Plus, etc) with the encoder directly on the cam lobe (no follower), and do the same Virtual Follower calculations. Plus Version Only. (Fig A29) A new calculated output has been added of Asymmetry. Asymmetry is the measure of how much more aggressive the intake opening profile is than the exhaust closing profile. For a symmetric lobe, the opening and closing profiles are the same (Asymmetry = 0). If the opening profile is more steep (aggressive), then the lobe may have, say, 4 degrees of asymmetry at a particular lift, say .050” lift. Technically this means the centerline at .050” lift is retarded from the centerline at the maximum lift point. Plus Version Only. (Fig A30) Several new Report Types have been added for the Plus Version Only, which include: Lobe Analysis Report, similar to the Cam Profile Evaluation Program reports in Don Hubbard’s book “Camshaft Reference Handbook” (Fig A31) Custom Duration Report, which lets you specify up to 20 lifts at which to measure duration, opening and closing events. It also has options for the lifts to be tappet lift (like the standard duration report) or Valve Lift (correcting for lash and rocker arm ratio), and whether to include the new Asymmetry calculation. (Fig A32) Seating Velocity Report, which calculates the valve closing velocity at several valve lashes of your choosing and 3 RPMs of your choosing. Don Hubbard’s book “Camshaft Reference Handbook” gives some “rules of thumb” for acceptable seating velocities, which are included in the program. (Fig A33) Checking Limits Report, which lets you design several checks to be made on the cam profile, like duration/opening event/closing event at a particular lift, maximum lift, centerline and lobe separation. This is a particularily useful report if you are checking cams to meet some quality control specs or to see if they are legal for particular race classes. (Fig A34) Added feature for doing Comparison Reports of one test versus another. (Fig A35) Plus Version Only. A new Graph menu option is “Analyze”. At this time the only option under this heading is “Find Difference Between Lobes”. If you have graphed the same type lobes (intake or exhaust) from 2 different tests, the program will find the matched pairs of lobes, like Intake #2 for both tests. It will then go through the difference in lift of both lobes at every 0.1 degrees and save the largest difference. Then it will advance or retard the second lobe with respect to the first lobe and do this comparison again until it finds the advance and retard which produces the lowest maximum difference. It will then report this maximum difference for each lobe pair. (Fig A36) Plus Version Only. A new “Watch Cam/Follower” screen lets you watch how the Virtual Follower is interacting with the measured cam profile. This new screen shows the instantaneous lift and rocker ratio both at each cam degree for the cam and now for the actual contact point on the cam. Data for the actual contact point shows more accurate instantaneous rocker arm ratios. (Fig A37) Plus Version Only. The Cam Card now includes duration at either .200 inches or 5 mm lift. (Fig A38) Plus Version Only. New Features for Various Types of Cams, Cam Measurement Setups, and Electronics: Note: Many new features in this section only apply to the Cam Analyzer version which has had the “Cam Test Stand” features activated. Two new methods of indexing the rotary encoder have been added. (Fig A39) These new methods are used instead of you specifying a particular event occurs at a particular degree for the #1 Intake Lobe, typically, say, 106 deg Centerline. These methods are: User Finds TDC with Stops. User Finds TDC with Sensor (typically for using the Performance Trends TDC Bridge) Plus Version Only. For either method you will have a “Set TDC ” option in the electronics Recording screen. You will click on the option or press key and the program will direct you through a series of steps to find TDC. “User Finds TDC with Stops” is useful for measuring cams in the engine with a piston stop, or where you can place the rotary encoder exactly at TDC (for example by using the TDC mark on the engine damper). If you select this method, the program will ask you to rotate the crank or cam (and therefore the encoder as well) until the piston encounters the stop. Then it will ask you to rotate it the other way until it encounters the stop again. The program will split the difference and now know exactly where TDC occurs. If you can place the cam, crank or encoder at exactly TDC, you will do that for the first stop, and then not move the cam, crank or encoder at all and call it the second point. Splitting the difference of these 2 same points will produce these same 2 points as TDC. “User Finds TDC with Sensor” is typically used with the Performance Trends TDC Bridge. It lets you turn the dowel pin or keyway used for timing the cam into a cam lobe. The Bridge is now a flat tappet follower. You place the linear encoder on the bridge, press and follow the program instructions. It finds the “centerline” of the dowel pin or key way and indexes the rotary encoder appropriately. Plus Version Only Notes: Most dowel pins or key ways are NOT positioned at TDC, but some degrees CW or CCW from TDC. You will need to know that positioning to use this feature. For some popular cam designs, Performance Trends has provided that timing in the Cam Layout Details screen. Many aftermarket cams are NOT timed to the production timing of the dowel pin or keyway. The Cam Design Layout now has spots for entering the location of the dowel pin or keyway from TDC in so many degrees, and whether it is CW or CCW. See point immediately above. (Fig A40) The program now has several new Cam Types preloaded, like the 427 SOHC Ford, more generic 4 and 6 cylinder engines, more GM V-8s, etc. The program has had several refinements for better and more accurate operation with Millimeter lift increments, including: Conversion of more data and settings from inches to millimeters and vice versa when you change the Millimeters/Inches Preference. You can now create standard cam profiles from simple inputs like Lift, Duration at 1 mm, etc using Millimeters. Virtual Follower features now work with Millimeter dimensions and lift measurements. The program can now better handle cams with just intake lobes, just exhaust lobes, or most any combination of lobes of up to 3 lobes for each cylinder, intake or exhaust. These options are required for DOHC and other more modern engine designs. Multiple lobes for the particular cylinder and designated A, B and C, like Int 1A, Int 1B, etc. (Fig A41) There is now a separate option for telling the program the cam you are measuring in either on the Cam Test Stand or In the Engine. The main difference are that if the cam is in the engine: You do not need to know the Lifter Bore Angle Details. That is because the engine block and/or heads have the followers angled appropriately. There is a good chance the linear encoder may extend when you are measuring lift, which could be on the valve itself or the follower. On the stand the encoder always retracts (is pushed in) as the follower is lifted. There is a chance the rotary encoder could be mounted on the crankshaft or some other rotating component instead of the camshaft. The first option can be selected in the Test/Cam Setup screen. If this is selected, then everything is done the same except the Lifter Bore Angle Details are not used for timing when the lobes for the different cylinders. However, the program may warn you that you should check the other 2 settings. The second 2 options are available for setting in the Electronics Recording screen. If you select “Rotary Encoder Mounting as “Other Rotating Component”, then the program will ask you to rotate the cam until it sees the cam lobe repeat a second time. Then it will determine how many encoder rotations are equal to 1 cam rotation. All these options are available in the Basic Version except “Other Rotating Component”. (Fig A40) The Plus version allows you to set some “More (advanced) Options” from the Test/Cam Setup screen. (Fig A42) These 3 options are: Typical Cam Lobe (opens and closes once) - default or Cam Lobe may have 2 "bumps" (may open and close twice) Just show data for Actual Lobe - default or Show All data measured (all 400 deg) Zero Lift is Average Lift Measured on Base Circle - default or Zero Lift is Lowest Lift Measured on Base Circle “Typical Cam Lobe (opens and closes once) - default” is a typical cam lobe with one opening and one closing profile. “Cam Lobe may have 2 "bumps" (may open and close twice)” is used when the lobe has 2 opening and closing profiles. This typically is used for Briggs and Stratton cams which have a small “Easy Pull” decompression lobe occur during the compression stroke. When you record a cam lobe with electronics, the Cam Analyzer measures a full cam rotation plus 40 degrees more (360+40=400 cam degrees). The extra 40 degrees is to check for measurement accuracy. The program then goes through all this data and tries to find where the base circle stops and the opening and closing ramps exactly start. Typically you are not interested in graphing the base circle measurements because it takes up space on the graphs and reports. Then you would select “Just show data for Actual Lobe - default”. If you want to view all 400 degrees of measured data, you would select “Show All data measured (all 400 deg)”. One case in particular is when you have selected the option “Cam Lobe may have 2 "bumps" (may open and close twice)”. Base circle of the cam is not exactly zero lift. There is some small variation in the base circle lift and this is caused “runout”. Up to now, the Cam Analyzer has used the AVERAGE base circle runout as the zero lift setting. Then you see small amounts of both positive and negative lift on base circle. For example if base circle runout was .002 inches, you should see lifts from -.001 to +.001 inches. That is the option of “Zero Lift is Average Lift Measured on Base Circle - default”. However, there are times you may want the very lowest lift measured on base circle to be zero lift, or ”Zero Lift is Lowest Lift Measured on Base Circle”. One case in particular is when you have selected the option “Cam Lobe may have 2 "bumps" (may open and close twice)”. Added new label to the Valve Train Layout, where you can pick whether the cam rotates CW or CCW in the layout drawing. If you say the cam rotates CW in the drawing and the cam turns CW in the Cam Layout Details, then a label appears that the view of the valve train layout is from the Front of the engine. If you say the cam rotates CCW in the drawing and the cam turns CW in the Cam Layout Details, then a label appears that the view of the valve train layout is from the Rear of the engine. Added new ‘Clc’ button in the Valve Train Layout screen to allow you to calculate the required of Angle and Distance for various pivot points based on X and Y dimensions. Added option to customize the calibration of the linear (lift) sensor in the Tester Calibration screen. The program will now work with some models of the Cam Pro Plus ™ electronics. Program now does more extensive checking of valid com ports for communicating to a FlowCom or Performance Trends Black Box and Black Box II. It checks up to Com Port 16, and gives better suggestions at valid ports. There is also a “Find” button in the Test Calibration specs screen to find your electronics by checking all available Com Ports. This feature is in the Basic version also, but only with the Measure with Electronic Sensors feature added. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Version 3.8 Changes are Above this point ^^^^^^^^^^^^ --------------- Jan 4, 2008 Version 3.2 B.091 -------------------- Fixed bug where the program would not "auto-advance" to the next lobe if you had selected 'Cam Position' as the auto-advance method. Fixed some problems when using "Find TDC with Sensor" like the TDC Checking Bridge for finding the dowel pin or keyway location. Fixed bug where option for Rotary Encoder on Crank was doubling the degrees/rev. It should have been cutting the degrees/rev in half. --------------- Nov 10, 2007 Version 3.2 B.084 -------------------- Made graphs better keep the current scales and cursor line when printing. Made graphs better expand when using the X axis scale expansion button. Fixed bug where the Finding TDC from Sensor did not always work if cam was turning CCW. Fixed bug where if you did the Finding TDC from Sensor and then started to measure a lobe other than #1 Intake, the program could produce cam profiles which were off 180 degrees. --------------- Oct 18, 2007 Version 3.2 B.082 -------------------- Program now eliminates blank rows in the reports, for a more condensed screen and printouts. Program now better positions vertical dividers in the printed reports. Fixed bug where cam's measured on the Cam Test Stand, which did not start with #1 cylinder, would not be reported correctly or have their lobes identified correctly on graphs. Fixed bug where the Adv Duration in the Cam Card was not using the correct valve lash. Fixed bug where program did not have correct firing order info if the number of cylinders on a cam was less than the number of cylinders in the firing order. --------------- Sept 28, 2007 Version 3.2 B.079 -------------------- Program now better blanks out data for missing lobes in the Test Summary section displayed in Reports. Program now allows "User finds TDC with Sensor" in the Plus version. Program did not "like" working with cam layouts for the CTS (cam test stand) which did not start with #1 cylinder. This problem fixed. Added check to ensure you measured the first Intake lobe (or exhaust lobe if only exhaust lobes on cam) before measuring any other lobes with the Cam Test Stand. This ensures the rotary encoder gets indexed correctly before you measure other lobes. This feature was working but recent program mods seems to have disabled it. Program was not keeping the 'Virtual Follower Setting' when you started a new test and you were using a standard cam layout. --------------- Aug 24, 2007 Version 3.2 B.078 -------------------- Added Sub FillInBlankVirtualFollowerType to assign a particular Standard Follower Type (so NO virtual follower calculations are done ) in the Virtual Follower screen, if no type has already been assigned. Added variable EliminateLargeXOffsets% to Sub Curvefit which improves accuracy for 'Finding TDC with Sensor' when numbers get VERY large, like the rotary encoder can produce. Fixed problem where V-8, V-6, etc OHC cams were not indexed correctly from #1 cylinder. --------------- July 24, 2007 Version 3.2 B.077 -------------------- Made program more accomodating to linear encoders with higher resolution than the standard Cam Test Stand encoder. --------------- July 14, 2007 Version 3.2 B.076 -------------------- Fixed bug where a "Fix" introduced in v3.2 B.072 could blank out a Virtual Follower profile after you watched in the animation screen. Added option to customize the calibration of the linear (lift) sensor in the Tester Calibration screen (Plus version only). Comp Cams required a mod for a higher resolution linear encoder. Added "Ford 427 SOHC..." Cam Design specs to the list of standard Cam Designs supplied by Performance Trends. NOTE: The Lobe Separation obtained between Int and Exh when measuring the cam on the Cam Test Stand is VERY sensitive to the dimensions in the Plus Version Details valve train layout. Added new label to the Valve Train Layout, where you can pick whether the cam rotates CW or CCW in the layout drawing. If you say the cam rotates CW in the drawing and the cam turns CW in the Cam Layout Details, then a label appears that the view of the valve train layout is from the Front of the engine. If you say the cam rotates CCW in the drawing and the cam turns CW in the Cam Layout Details, then a label appears that the view of the valve train layout is from the Rear of the engine. Fixed bug where the Plus Version Details were getting blanked out intermittently. The Virtual Follower screen now shows the instantaneous lift and rocker ratio both at each cam degree for the cam AND now for the actual Contact Point on the cam, which produces much more realistic Instantaneous Rocker Arm Ratios. Now program only allows Comparison Reports (comparing different cams from different files) for certain types of data. Program now does a better job of aligning data for Comparison Reports for more accurate reporting of results. Program does not allow for Comparison Reports for certain report types, like Comparing Lobes, Cam Card, etc. --------------- June 2, 2007 Version 3.2 B.072 -------------------- Fixed bug where a "Fix" introduced in v3.2 B.072 could blank out a Virtual Follower profile after you watched in the animation screen. Added option to customize the calibration of the linear (lift) sensor in the Tester Calibration screen (Plus version only). Added "Ford 427 SOHC..." Cam Design specs to the list of standard Cam Designs supplied by Performance Trends. NOTE: The Lobe Separation obtained between Int and Exh when measuring the cam on the Cam Test Stand is VERY sensitive to the dimensions in the Plus Version Details valve train layout. This is true of all this particular style of valve train layout, where the rockers are on opposite sides of the cam. Added new label to the Valve Train Layout, where you can pick whether the cam rotates CW or CCW in the layout drawing. If you say the cam rotates CW in the drawing and the cam turns CW in the Cam Layout Details, then a label appears that the view of the valve train layout is from the Front of the engine. If you say the cam rotates CCW in the drawing and the cam turns CW in the Cam Layout Details, then a label appears that the view of the valve train layout is from the Rear of the engine. Fixed bug where the Plus Version Details were getting blanked out intermittently. The Virtual Follower screen now shows the instantaneous lift and rocker ratio both at each cam degree for the cam AND now for the actual Contact Point on the cam, which produces much more realistic Instantaneous Rocker Arm Ratios. --------------- June 2, 2007 Version 3.2 B.072 -------------------- Fixed bug for unusal situation for manual data entry, when the number of rows available for data entry have blanks for the degrees. Fixed some bugs where the Virtual Follower would produce inaccurate results if the valve train layout for the OHC Rocker Arm valve trains was VERY unusual. Program now identifies whether the rotary encoder is on the Crank or 'Other' in the camshaft layout drawing on the main screen. Added 2 new Briggs Single Cylinder and 2 new Generic DOHC 4 Cylinder standard Cam Designs to the list of pre-programmed cam designs to pick from. --------------- Apr 19, 2007 Version 3.2 B.071 -------------------- Added new Edit option of Add to/Subtract from Lift to let you add or subtract some amount to the lift measurements. Program can now recover from very bad inputs for Virtual Follower inputs for Rocker Arm type OHC valve trains. --------------- Mar 29, 2007 Version 3.2 B.070 -------------------- Fixed bug where if a cam had more than 1 lobe/cyl and you were indexing the cam based on anything other than Centerline, the rotation index (deg) would get screwed up when you measured the 2nd lobe for the first cylinder. Fixed bug where the Cam Timing Value was not being set or refreshed correctly in the Starting New Test Screen. Program now does duration and lobe area reports in 1 mm increments. Default low lift preference for mm has been changed from 1.0 mm down to .8 mm because now 1.0 mm is a standard lift increment. Fixed bug where the 1 mm duration and events in the cam card were not correct, but were the actual events at 2 mm lift instead. --------------- Mar 2, 2007 Version 3.2 B.067 -------------------- Acceptable limits for Cam Timing Values have been expanded to allow for lifts in MM and Exhaust Opening Events for cams with only Exhaust lobes in both the New Test Screen and Test/Cam Setup Screen. --------------- Mar 1, 2007 Version 3.2 B.066 -------------------- Fixed bug where if reports were made of more than 1 lobe and the cam had 1 Intake or 1 Exhaust lobe only per cylinder (not Int & Exh), not all lobes were displayed. Fixed bug where if you requested timing a cam based on Lift at TDC, or Opening event at .050" or 1 mm, it would not work for cams with only Exhaust lobes. Fixed bug where measurements made in Millimeters would not always allow for doing Virtual Follower simulation. Refined the accuracy of timing a cam based on Lift at TDC, or Opening event at .050" or 1 mm. Before this, these events or lifts could be off by the amount of runout error. --------------- Feb 27, 2007 Version 3.2 B.065 -------------------- When went to more than 1 cylinder, when you clicked on a graph, it may not have highlighted the correct point in the table of numbers. Tried again to get the Cam Card to display fully on lower resolution screens. Cam Card now redraws the graphics when it is resized. When you make changes in Virtual Follower specs, the program now shows progress of converting all the lobes, so you know something is happening. Fixed a bug when converting lobes after Virtual Follower specs have changed, that the program did not always distinguish the difference between intake and exhaust lobes. After a Virtual Follower conversion, the program used to be left displaying the last lobe on the Main Screen. Now it stays on the same lobe as when you started the changes. Added new Option in the Electronics screen for the Rotary Encoder. You can specify that the encoder is mounted on the Cam, Crankshaft, or 'Other'. For 'Other', the program will automatically determine how many degrees of rotary encoder rotation is equal to 1 degree of camshaft rotation. This makes it easy to mount the rotary encoder on a pulley or back side of a belt when measuring the cam when in the engine. Also, now the program stores the Rotary Encoder and Linear Encoder options settings with each individual file, so you will know what the settings were. Added new Example Cam Layouts: Ford 1.6/1.9L CVH OHC 4 cyl, AMC V-8 and Pontiac V-8 Fixed bug where a Cam Dr file was not leaving enough room for all the intake lobe to be written. The CompareReport% flag was not being reset, and you would get CompareReport% messages on the main screen when opening a new test file. Program no longer changes the Cam Design from a standard one (like Small Block Chevy) to Custom when you change the Base Circle Diameter or Crown Radius (flat tappet) or Roller Diameter (roller tappet). Program now does not allow or asks you if you want to use some of the Edit commands with profiles measured with the Cam Test Stand. Fixed bug where the Edit command of Round Off Lift would also multiply the lift by a factor, changing the lift when it should have only been changing the number of decimal places. Fixed bug where Exh Lift at TDC was not shown on Cam Card. Added Duration at .200" / 5 mm lift to cam card. Fixed bug where if some error occurred on the Graph Screen, the program could loose the data for the current test you were working on. Fixed bug where if you asked to change the Windows Printer Setup in the Graph screen, it would revert back to the Main Screen for the change, then go back to the Graph screen. At some time prior to this version, program would include the new Engine Analyzer Pro v3.5 to its list of locations to look for saving Cam Dr files for exporting. Fixed bug where the 'Lobe to Use' for Creating a Cam Dr file was not listed correctly if the cam only had a few lobes. Program now gives a message with the version number when it finds the Engine Analyzer Pro when creating a Cam Dr file. Made several mods in Sub MakeOutput to handle reports with only exhaust lobes. --------------- Nov 11, 2006 Version 3.2 B.059 -------------------- Fixed bug where Reports and Cam Dr and Comp Cams files were not done correctly when there were Intake and Exhaust data requested, but there was not both intake and exhaust lobes on the cam. Fixed bugs where Int or Exh lobes could be graphed even if you were not asking for them. Shrunk down the cam card width slightly to better display on some computers. When starting a New Test, the program no longer blanks out the cam specs if you have selected to build a cam profile from simple inputs. Program now knows if you have changed the Test/Cam Setup in the New Test screen, and refreshes the New Test screen with the appropriate changes. Fixed bug where new Operator names added in the New Test screen were also being added to the list of Cam Grinds. --------------- Nov 5, 2006 Version 3.2 B.057 -------------------- Program now makes more reliable checks to warn you if you have likely lost the TDC index of the rotary encoder. 'Program now shows it is the 'Plus' version in Title Bar and About screen. The files 'SB Chev on Stand' and 'SB Ford on Stand' now have the new Plus features included in their data, of Min Flat Tappet Diameter and Runout. Fixed bug where the Plus version's Cam Card had the wrong Adv Duration and events for Hydraulic cams. Fixed bug where cam adv/retard was reported wrong in some places if you built a cam from .050, .040 or seat timing events. Fixed bug where the Lift at TDC for the Exh was not always reported in the Cam Card. Fixed bug where Cam Adv or Retard would get blanked out in the Test Setup Screen after you had picked a new value. Because sound does not always work on all computers, the program now displayes a "Backward" message when you rotate a cam backward while measuring it. Fixed bug where Rocker Ratio and Lash were not always used correctly when calculating Valve Lift for cams with more than 1 Int and/or more than 1 exh lobe. Fixed bug where program did not graph all lobes correctly for cams with more than 1 Int and/or more than 1 exh lobe. --------------- Oct 5, 2006 Version 3.2 B.052 -------------------- When starting a New Test, and you have selected 'User Finds TDC' when using electronics and you tell program that you want to use the existing TDC settings in the BBII, now the program does NOT ask you again in the Recording screen. Now program gives better explanations in messages when setting TDC in Recording screen. --------------- Sept 28, 2006 Version 3.2 B.051 -------------------- Fixed a couple of bugs for overlaying graphs of lobes for cams with either all intake or all exhaust lobes. When no int or exh data is available, or no int or exh lobes are on the cam, the program better makes sure that the appropriate int or exh data is set to 0 or blanked out in the Test Summary section of reports or in the Cam Card. Made the Cam Card part of the 'Plus' version only, but allow the user to see the cam card for the 'Plus Version' demo, but only for SB Chevy on Stand and SB Ford on Stand files. --------------- Sept 6, 2006 Version 3.2 B.050 -------------------- Added Preference to read Cam Pro Plus electronics for Plus Version Only. Fixed bug where now, using the F8 key, the program will back all the way up to #1 cylinder Intake, even if that is not the first lobe on the cam. Found that the CW/CCW switch on CPP could really screw up the results. Fixed bug where finding TDC in Record screen did not split the difference correctly when using a Piston Stop. Added Command3 with Cancel = True to Test Setup screen so Esc key would work. Added several checks in Starting a New Test to fill in critical specs with acceptable defaults if these specs are blank. Do not allow Examples folder to be used when starting a New Test, default to 'My-Tests' folder. If you choose Cam Pro Plus as the type of Electronics, the program does not let you enter the Rotary Encoder's pulses per rev. The program knows what it should be. --------------- Aug 24, 2006 Version 3.2 B.047 -------------------- Added an new option of 'User Sets TDC' for indexing the cam to TDC in the Test Setup screen, when using the Cam Test Stand. Added menu feature in the Electronics screen to 'Set TDC' if you have selected the option of 'User Sets TDC' for indexing the cam to TDC. This command can be activated by pressing . You can find TDC by either setting the crank to TDC based on timing marks, or by running the piston up against a stop near TDC, turning the crank both directions. --------------- Aug 22, 2006 Version 3.2 B.046 -------------------- Added Option in Cam Electronics screen to Rezero the Lift Sensor. This is not necessary to do as the program finds the average runout on base circle and treats that as true zero. However, some people like to be able to set a zero lift reading. Added Option in Cam Electronics screen to Reverse the readings of the Linear Sensor Readings. This was necessary when measuring valve "lift" (actually valve movement down) as lift. Added new feature of displaying and printing a "Cam Card". This is a new Report type and can also be found under File, then Print Cam Card at the main screen. The program now accepts a much wider range of lifts in the Preferences menu for reporting duration, opening and closing events when you do a Duration report. The program now switches these 6 Lifts in Preferences between inches and mm when you select either inches or mm as the units for measuring lift. New default lifts for these points for MM are: .1, .15, .2, .5, .75 and 1 mm lift. Higher lift increments for these events for MM are now done in 2 mm steps (previously done in 5 mm steps). New default lift for Adv Events for Cam Card for Hydraulic lifters is .006 for inches and .15 mm. --------------- Aug 1, 2006 Version 3.2 B.044 -------------------- Made drawing of End Pivot RA Layout more universal in the drawing. Added 2.3L Ford OHC and Eagle Talon OHC to the list of std Cam Layouts. These require the Virtual Follower simulation to be done correctly. Fixed bug where there was an error in cam rotation in Virtual Follower for OHC Rocker Arm layouts. Program now makes better checks if you make changes that the profiles measured with the CTS must be refigured, especially for Virtual Follower features. Fixed bug where Virtual Follower features of the program now differentiate between the Int and Exh followers. It also now draws the correct layout before you animate. Fixed bug where Advance/Retard was not shown correctly on the graph screen for lobes measured with the Cam Test Stand. Added Graph Menu Item of Analyze to find max difference in lift between 2 lobes for all lobes for the first 2 cams graphed. This is for Plus Version only. Program now remembers the Printer Orientation, landscape or portrait. Program now shows the exact same Test (Cam) Summary specs as what you enter if you create a cam profile from .050 events (English units) or 1 mm lift (Metric Units). Added History Log, Single Test and Multiple Test menu options to Reports screen for Plus version. This lets you do comparison reports between cam files for the same lobes. This is still somewhat preliminary. Fixed bug where the "Cylinders to Graph" in the Report Specs would not always work as designed. Fixed bug introduced in v3.2 B.042 where the first and last data point to graph was not being set correctly. Fixed bug where column titles would not be printed in reports correctly if some columns were blank. Added several features to get better looking printouts. Added Runout and Minimum Required Flat Tappet Diameter (based on peak velocity) to Compare Lobes Report for Plus Version. Added variable RestoreCurrentTestSpecs% so that if you X out of Starting a New Test, the program would restore all data as if you had never tried to Start a New Test. The program did this before, but only if you click on "Cancel" --------------- May 1, 2006 Version 3.2 B.040 -------------------- Fixed bug where the Lobe to Use for creating Cam Dr or Comp Cams file would not allow you to pick the available lobes. Fixed some bugs where program was not correctly picking which lobes to graph for multi valve engines. Fixed bug where some drop down lists in the New Test Screen were not filled in correctly if you started a new test without a test already opened up on the main screen. Fixed bug where the summary data for lobes like Duration, Lift, etc, were not updated when a file was converted from English to Metric and vice versa. --------------- Apr 20, 2006 Version 3.2 B.038 -------------------- Added 2 example "Quick Check" files for easy starting point "templates" if you just want to quickly measure #1 cyl intake and exhaust lobed. --------------- Apr 12, 2006 Version 3.2 B.037 -------------------- Changed program operation to NOT do filtering on the raw lift data if you are creating that data from simple specs. When converting from Metric to English and Vice Versa, program now converts appropriate readings from MM to inches and vice versa for Plus Version Details screen and Test Setup screen. Program can now create cam lobe data from simple inputs for Metric version. Program can now do Virtual Follower for Metric version. Linear sensor gauge in Recording screen is now drawn to a scale of 0-25 mm for metric. Fixed bug where actual recorded data was restored by specifying "Actual Flat" or "Actual Roller" as the follower type in the Plus Version Details, the lift was always shown in inches, even though MM units were selected. --------------- Mar 4, 2006 Version 3.2 B.036 -------------------- Added several things to deal with cylinder numbers greater than 10. This includes buttons to jump between different tabs, go to first tab and go to last tab, because program only shows up to 16 tabs to keep tabs from getting too crowded. Added feature to allow for 'odd firing' for cylinders in Cam Layout. Program now blanks out certain data if no Duration or Lift is available for that lobe. Fixed bug where virtual lifter was not correctly calculating lift. Program now accomodates up to 12 columns in the output for printed reports. Now program spaces then graph legend closer to accomodate up to 48 graph lines. Increased the dimension of several graph legend arrays to accomodate number of legends up to 72 graph lines. Previously you could get errors if you tried to put a cursor on the graph lines with more than 36 graph lines being drawn. Fixed some bugs which could occur if the rotary encoder did many revolutions without being rezeroed. Fixed bug where program could give error message "You are turning the cam too slowly." even if that was not the problem. Increased size of the "GraphAdvance" array to prevent errors when advancing/retarding different lobes on graph screen. Fixed bug where an error message "FilterLobe Er = 9" could occur when measuring a lobe. Not all lobes were being included in graphs for cams with more than 1 intake or 1 exhaust lobe. Added new input in Graph Type specs screen, of Multi-Valve Lobe to Graph. This lets you pick which lobe, either A, B or C or All when there is more than 1 intake or 1 exhaust lobe. Fixed bug where graphs for a cam with Only Exhaust lobes would not be graphed correctly. Added Label to main screen to show if tappet is simulated with Virtual Follower or measured using the Actual follower. Changed the "Honda DOHC" Example Layout Info to "Honda 4Cyl B Series" which now includes all 3 lobes for each cylinder. --------------- Jan 24, 2006 Version 3.2 B.032 -------------------- Fixed bug where Main Screen was not showing everything if resolution went above 1024 x 768. Fixed bug where Compare Report was not displaying all information for all lobes. Fixed bug where Lobe Seperation was not being done correctly when features were added for multiple lobes per cylinder. Fixed bug where FilterEr = 9 would occur, because Port number would be less than 0 and program could bomb. This was usually caused when you were just asking to do a report on Cyl #1 Only. Fixed bug where making reports could get program to bomb. Added Mopar V10 and several Honda V6 and 4Cyl layouts to standard Cam layouts for use when using the Cam Stand for measurements. Fixed some bugs where program would not allow you to enter cylinder numbers for the cam layout that did not include Cyl #1 or that were 2 digits, like cylinder #10. Added 'Clc' button to Virtual Follower screen to allow calculating angle and distance from X and Y measurements. Fixed bug where the Virtual Follower screen had the 'Fix Error' always turned on for drawing the layout. Now the layout is drawn exactly as entered (with the errors) and only fixes the errors if you click on Fix Error. --------------- Dec 10, 2005 Version 3.2 B.029 -------------------- Fixed bug where the Std BB Chevy layout and lifter bore angle data was not correct. Added checks to allow some Virtual Follower specs to change without calling the Cam Type "Custom". Plus Version Only. Added Watch Cam/Follower button on Main Screen to watch animated valve train. Plus Version Only. Program now does correction for radius of pointer when doing Virtual Follower calculations. Plus Version Only. Program is now better at connecting measured points to fill in for missing data as cam is rotated on test stand. Program now needs 2 consecutive readings to show more than 400 deg to say you have rotated cam enough for stopping the test. Added label to Recording screen to better show what lobe you are on. MM are now displayed and measured in the Recording screen. Fixed bug where default Virtual Follower specs were not loaded correctly. Plus Version Only. Fixed bug where comments were not always displayed in the Preview when opening a test file. PlusVersionDemo% now tells user features will only be displayed if using one of the "on Stand" examples. Put in 'Tip' message about Plus Version Demo. Fixed bugs where the Correction for the Radius of the Measurement Pointer was causing problems for the 2 OHC valve trains. Fixed bug where program could not analyze a measured profile if the cam was turned too slowly. Allow saving/opening Floppy/CD rom drives from A - Z, Set in Preferences. Added Browse button for Cam Dr Files. Added several features to deal with Cams with all intakes or exhaust, multi valve engines. Fixed bug where Main Screen was not showing everything if resolution went above 1024 x 768. --------------- Sept 28, 2005 Version 3.2 B.020 -------------------- Fixed bug where program did not find #1 cylinder correctly if you specified a low "Number of Cylinders to Test" it the Test/Cam Setup screen for using the Electronics, like just 2 or 3 cylinders. Changed the "Beep" method used by the program so beep sounds are heard on more different types of computers. --------------- Sept 3, 2005 Version 3.2 B.019 -------------------- Added ability to pick which cylinder to use when writing a Cam Dr or Comp Cam's format cam file. --------------- Aug 29, 2005 Version 3.2 B.018 -------------------- Fixed a couple of bugs when opening files using the "Advanced" button. Fixed a bug where program would give error message "can't find folder "cacurdat.pti" Improved communications with electronics on very fast computers. Added diagnostice option in frmFlowCom to Display Relative Computer Speed. Program now changes menu item from Record (F1) to Stop Recording (F2) in the recording screen. Added checks to be sure at least .01 of cam lift is recorded in Recording Screen. If not, program does not keep the recorded data. Repositioned the fix to refresh the main screen to display all controls so that it was also done when the program advanced to the next lobe automatically. Fixed bug where Operator and Grind was not being saved in the New Test Screen. Added Preference to allow adjusting or turning off the check for difference between #1 cylinder lobe measurements and subsequent lobes being measured with electronics: "% Dif. from #1 Cyl to Flag" --------------- Aug 18, 2005 Version 3.2 B.014 -------------------- Added variable OpenFromHistoryLogFlag% from PFA for better updating of History Log where opening a file from the History Log Copied routine form PFA for opening a file from the History log. Added variable in graphing routine to keep track which Individual Cylinders are to be graphed. Added Find button for Com Ports in Encoder Specs screen to check ports 1-8 for Black Box communications. Now when you right click on a folder to delete, rename or copy it, that folder is now selected also. Previously, you had to left click it to select it, then right click it to have the options presented to you. Program now checks Firing Order and Cam Layout for obvious errors in inputs. Program now checks inputs for the Cam Layout Details or accurate entry. Fixed a bug which did not open the file from the History log correctly, or update the History Log when a file was opened. Fixed a bug where if you picked individual lobes from Picked List in Graph Specs screen or History Log, the correct lobes were not graphed. Updated the Help files for new screens and inputs added for 'Measure w Electronics' Now when you right click on Folders in the 'Open from All Saved Tests', the folder you right click on is highlighted and chosen for the action. Fixed bug where controls on main screen could disappear when clicking on other tabs. Fixed bug introduced in previous update where EZ Data Entry did not work Put back frmFlowComCam to allow for EZ Data Entry. --------------- June 29, 2005 Version 3.2 B.011 -------------------- Program no longer does "lobe (lift) filtering" when measured with electronics, to save time making graphs, reports, etc. Fixed bug when program asked you to look for Acrobat Reader (tm) on the web. Fixed bug where Comments you entered on Main Screen would not always be saved. --------------- June 18, 2005 Version 3.2 B.010 -------------------- Now rotary encoder can rotate backward several revs before a "roll over" error occurs. Eliminated some 'debugging' error messages. Added Resize32.ocx system file to installer. Made numerous changes for Electronics. New Test options for electronics. Added Edit Option of Mirror Image. Added Troubleshoot menu options on main screen for electronics COM Ports. --------------- Feb 10, 2005 Version 3.2 B.007 -------------------- When clicking on the Graph on the main screen, depending on the screen resolution, you may not be shown the row for the data point you clicked on. When you would have the program look for files 'frmSeek', the program could bomb on XP computers when encountering some protected folders in XP. Fixed this bug. Fixed bug where "Home made" S96 files don't like to read 0 in a line for lift, but will read .000000. Fixed bug where the screen for printing Ascii Files (in the report screen) would disappear as soon as it was displayed. Made the routine which displays PDF files compatible with "finding" Adobe Acrobat programs up to version 20. --------------- Dec 8, 2004 Version 3.2 B.006 -------------------- Added frmFlowCom screen to read black box for computerized cam measurements. Preferences menu option is changed to Settings, under which you can choose Preferences or Tester Calibration. Developed method to create a cam file with both intake and exhaust lobes from 2 seperate cam files, like 2 S96 files. 1 Open the S96 file for the Intake Lobe per your specs. Once opened at the main screen, note the Deg Wheel reading for the first point, intake opening. 2 Open the same or different type of file with only 1 lobe, like another S96 file for the Exhaust Lobe per your specs. Once opened at the main screen, click on Test Options and select Type of Test Data as 'Measured by Hand'. Also select Deg Wheel Type as '0-180-0' and be sure 'Deg Steps' is set to 2. Then click on 'Back' to return to the Main Screen. 3 At Main Screen, click on Intake tab at top to display Intake Lobe which should be blank. Click on Generate Deg Wheel Readings and at this screen enter the first Deg Wheel reading (intake opening) from step 1 above. Also set 'Estimated Duration' to 500 deg to be sure there is enough. Then click on OK and the Original Intake tappet lifts should now be visible. If they are not indexed correctly, click on Deg Wheel at the top of the Deg Wheel Readings column and choose the Advance or Retard option to shift the Deg Wheel readings as necessary. Since Advance and Retard are limited to 30 degrees max, you may need to do this several times. Advanced 'Save As' now shows a Save button instead of Open Button. Fixed bug where History Log could become corrupted with commas ",". Fixed bug where Cam Data was not always completely erased when you were starting a new test. Program can now better handle EXTREMELY big exhaust durations correctly when generating Deg Wheel increments (exh which opens Before TDC). Program now shows the correct cylinder # on Tabs at top of main screen. Fixed bug where if using 0-180-0 Deg Wheel type could produce blanks in the Deg Wheel column instead of 0. The blanks could cause problems. Allowed for 3 times to display: ExplainCantEditLifts% Now allow a generic 360 line file to be read as a Generic format, Type = "I-?" Added Preference for EZ Data Entry increment size. Fixed a couple more XP colors on labels. Made graph flash rate independant of computer speed. --------------- Dec 20, 2002 Version 3.2 A.012 -------------------- Fixed bug where graph on main screen was not always displayed so you could read the X axis numbers. Screen colors are now more compatible (attractive) with Windows XP. Fixed a bug where a file created from cam file (Cam Dr, Cam Pro Plus, etc.) would not display the Print Options menu (produced an error) from the Report Screen. --------------- Nov 2, 2002 Version 3.2 A.009 -------------------- Enlarged EZ Data Entry screen slightly so you can read words on buttons better. Now says "Reg Version" if you click on mnuRegTo. --------------- Sept 18, 2002 Version 3.2 A.007 -------------------- Added BTDC/ABDC etc notation to cursor readings in graph screen. Added BTDC/ABDC etc notation to reports for opening and closing points. Fixed bug where Degree Wheel readings were not being done in reports if you selected to make reports at 2 deg increments. Fixed bug where graph screen could show “Cam Deg” when the graphs are always done in “Crank Deg” increments. --------------- Sept 17, 2002 Version 3.2 A.006 -------------------- Activated the Swap feature in File, then Edit (copy/swap lobes) Fixed bug where dividing lines were not being drawn in printed reports. Added option to choose the Deg Wheel Steps for printing a worksheet in the Print Worksheet screen. Fixed bug where if clicked on Reg Name with unlocked version, it still said Demo version. Fixed bug which could occur if clicked on Format, then Edit Printed ... in the graph screen was clicked on and program could stop. --------------- Aug 12, 2002 Version 3.2 A.002 -------------------- You can now write (export) files in Comp Cam’s ™ format. This lets you create individual file lobes of intake and exhaust lobes so you can mix lobes from different cam files. User manual is now access file from within the program by clicking on Help at top of the Main Screen, then Display User’s Manual. The program uses Adobe Acrobat ™ to display it in PDF format. --------------- Aug 2, 2002 Version 3.2 A.001 --------------------- Program is now 32 bit, which means: - It can use long file names. - It should be more compatible with USB printers and Windows XP and 2000. Larger graph screen. You can now select the amount of smoothing the program should do to manually entered cam lift data. For example, data entered at more than every 5 degrees should probably have less than the Std smoothing. You can now select to manually enter the degree increments in most any step size you want. This allows you to concentrate the readings in only the area you want (like around .050 lift and peak lift). This is done by selecting User Entered for Degree Steps in Test Setup. Program now tries to automatically recognize if a file was recorded with millimeters or inches lift. It then converts it as necessary for the current Preference setting of either millimeters or inches lift. ------ Nov 15, 2001 v2.0 A.016 ----------------------------------- Added several edit options at top of main screen. Added preference%(10) for mm/inch lift inputs. ------ Oct 20, 2001 v2.0 A.015 ----------------------------------- Added more fixes for "funny" combinations of Lobe Seperation, Cam Advance, Lobe Centerlines, etc. These can be caused from importing cam profiles from Cam Pro files. ------ June 26, 2001 v2.0 A.014 ----------------------------------- Eliminated references to Port Flow Analyzer in the help items on the Main Screen. Give more warnings if creating a Cam Dr file that file is based on current cam measurements on main screen. Added option to Copy To or Paste From the Clipboard the Lift Data Column. Click on Top Row in Lift Column "Tappet Lift" to see this option. Fixed a problem where unusual and wrong centerline and cam advance numbers were generated by the program and loaded into the Test Options screen. These caused problems because problem would flag out these numerous errors if you change the "Type of Cam Data". ------ Mar 9, 2001 v2.0 A.011 ----------------------------------- Added options to read different lobes in Cam Pro Plus files. ------ Feb 27, 2001 v2.0 A.010 ----------------------------------- Fixed bug where data read from CamProPlus files (and probably other cam file formats) were not always read correctly. You would see lift, velocity, acceleration and jerk being interpreted as lower than what it should have been. ------ Feb 17, 2001 v2.0 A.009 ----------------------------------- Fixed a bug where printed worksheets were not correct for Deg Steps greater than 5 degrees (like 10, 15 or 20 degrees). ------ Feb 10, 2001 v2.0 A.008 ----------------------------------- Made Duration report more "forgiving" if the lifts specified for duration and events were lower than the measured data (i.e., you want duration at .003" but started recording data at .005"). ------ Feb 2, 2001 v2.0 A.007 ----------------------------------- Now program displays degree wheel and graph on Main Screen better withn 800 x 600 screen resolution. EZ data entry now estimates lift for 1st and 2nd readings (it used to say not possible). Fixed problem where Duration was not estimated in "Generate Deg Wheel Rreadings" if you had specified 20 deg increments. Fixed bug where 'Designed Lash' was enabled in Test Options screen even though you were measuring a cam by hand or were using a cam file. Flash rate on Graph Screen is now more consistent between computers of vary different processing speeds. ------ Jan 15, 2001 v2.0 A.006 ----------------------------------- Added Edit Command to Copy Lobes option under File command. ------ Dec 15, 2000 v2.0 A.005 ----------------------------------- Fixed a bug where several cam specs were not displayed if you selected the Type of Cam Data in Test Options as 'Create from .050: '' Specs', etc. ------ Sept 18, 2000 v2.0 A.004 ----------------------------------- Test Summary for graphs and reports now shows "Hyd" when the cam profile type is specified as Hydraulic. It previously showed a Lash value. ------ July 13, 2000 v2.0 A.003 ----------------------------------- Added an End of File character to Cam Dr files written. Some software not written by Performance Trends required this for reading Cam Dr files. Fixed bug where the Cam Dr file created could be influenced (made incorrect) by settings in the Report Options screen. If you click on the 'Point' column on the Main Screen to delete some points (rows), the program now checks if you are deleting any points with Tappet Lift data. If so, the program tells you this and asks if you really want to do this. ------ June 8,2000 v2.0 A.002 ----------------------------------- Program now reads the Lobe Seperation from Cam Dr files it reads. Note that these Centerlines may not match the Centerlines determined by the Cam Analyzer, so lobes may actually be shifted. Fixed bug where if the Operator.pti file was not present, the program bombed when opening Find TDC screen.